The 'Explain The Appeal Of......' Thread

[canaryrose]

Ohhh, a thread I likey.

Can someone explain to me the appeal of loud screaming Let's Players who offer nothing more than a tired brand of humor, and screaming?

@Mr Allen J

Some people think they're funny. Which they're not.

Can someone explain the appeal of joking about things that aren't jokes? Like joking about suicide, self-harm, autism, 9/11, ISIS... the list goes on and on.

[ButtsnBalls]

Can someone explain the appeal of joking about things that aren't jokes? Like joking about suicide, self-harm, autism, 9/11, ISIS... the list goes on and on.

@canaryrose

It's not about joking, it's about attention craving.

[ArenaSnow]

<Snipped quote by Mr Allen J>

Some people think they're funny. Which they're not.

Can someone explain the appeal of joking about things that aren't jokes? Like joking about suicide, self-harm, autism, 9/11, ISIS... the list goes on and on.

@canaryrose

Taste isn't exactly an acquired taste.

Could someone explain the appeal of shitposting in the status bar? I mean... why >.>

[Tsar Gatto]

<Snipped quote by Garattee>

Now what is the appeal to Rick and Morty, Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and these other cartoons to which full-grown adults have latched themselves?

@pugbutter

@pugbutter@The Elvenqueen

Hmmmm well. I'll give it a stab.

I've never really watched Steven Universe, but I'll go with @Dynamo Frokane's answer - as that sounds a good reason to me.

In terms of adventure time, I've only watched relatively a little but it struck me as a kid's show with lots and lots and lots of references for older viewers (to the point where I could hardly believe it was a kids show).

I think the joy for most people with this show is the blurred line in target demographic that tickles them. I believe it is targeted at 12-15 kinda age group, however the writers must know it has a huge following with college/university age people too (and older viewers who are still in a similar mindset). I believe the majority of Reddit browsers you refer to could be said to fit into those age groups. Seems a fairly immature but entertaining show from what I saw.

Now Rick and Morty I have watched all of, and would have to say I enjoy it lots (as do many of my friends of the same rough age group (late 20s).

For me the appeal is in the writing and deeper implications of lots of what they cover. It's very dark in many subjects and tickles both the more immature elements of humour as well as my darker streak. It also touches on quite a few deeper things philosophically speaking, if you're such inclined.

The show touches on an existentialist perspective. Many other Philosophies are referenced like Nihilism and the work of Friedrich Nietzsche, Marxism and Determinism.

Wikipedia

Plus I like to smoke plants which helps with the more immature side of things.

It has had a few great comedians/actors as voice actors too - David Letterman, David Cross, Dana Carvey, Nathan Fielder, Gary Cole, Werner Herzog, Rich Fulcher, Alfred Molina, Keegan-Michael Key, Matt Walsh, Keith David, John Oliver, Christina Hendricks, Stephen Colbert & Jemaine Clement. They've all been in it at one point or another.

Suppose as well once you get into it (and beyond the slightly less fantastic first few episodes) I really found myself getting to like the characters despite what initially irritated me about each of them.

And I do not Reddit, so can't blame them this time for the above.

(Edit: Oh, and for those with thick skin and dark humour - veeery dark humour, check out Mr Pickles, for something even more...extreme)

[Garattee]

Whats the Appeal of Golf? I know this might be a hard one to answer....

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

@Garattee, the appeal of golf is to provide older men, usually, even more so those who style themselves as having reached a notable point of achievement in life often by virtue of their working history, a sport that is still competitive and largely skilled based without being too physically demanding. Likewise, it can be enjoyed by their general peers or superiors as a way to instill bonding and endearment. It is also used as an avenue of escape to avoid conflicts outside its normal associations, such as by letting one put either their mind at ease just through repetition, effect of practice, conversation and for the satisfaction of executing aggression by the virtue of striking.

Golf itself also comes with a plethora of accessories and allows for competition even among its equipment, just by quality and make alone, as well as common ground of discussion among its usual age bracket. A golf bag with a number of clubs and the opportunity to play often might be viewed as that person being more successful than someone who owns only the minimum and plays infrequently. It could be seen as a measured form of "success" and something to do instead of being "idle" or left to activities that would be considered more boring.

Mind you I have never so much as played it, but my first hand experiences and observations in having been present for it seems to suggest at least this much.

What is the appeal of people calling themselves, "insane", "random" or "evil"? I level this predominantly at the internet and its various communities, but why and what draw exists and what purpose does it actually have? Is it an expedient way to develop an "identity", despite how positively cliché the effort is? Is it attempted endearment? Attempted excuse for behavior? Stereotypical angst? Immaturity? I ask this in particular because almost everyone has witnessed it, some even having done it.

I would prefer an actual attempted answer.

[BrokenPromise]

Can someone explain the appeal of joking about things that aren't jokes? Like joking about suicide, self-harm, autism, 9/11, ISIS... the list goes on and on.

@canaryrose

As someone who jokes about like topics quite frequently, it's to take the edge off. When someone tries to make everyone sad by telling everyone about the most recent celebrity death, I think it's my duty to reverse this by lightening the mood. As with most things of this nature, you can't be indirect. You can't just say "hey, how about that football game?" You need to attack the offender's response directly by making light of something many consider tragic or scary. Insensitive? Maybe. But I consider myself one of the good guys.

What is the appeal of people calling themselves, "insane", "random" or "evil"?

Attempted excuse for behavior?

@The Harbinger of Ferocity

I think that's the short version.

If you'd like it taken a step further, I've noticed that type of behavior is most prevalent at schools or other places with younger people. everyone forms a clique and uses it as an excuse to stay in their comfort zone or opt out of trying new things.

"I can't play sports, I'm a brainiac!"

"I can't play with dolls, I'm a jock!"

Though as we mature, we realize that it isn't as important to live out these "personas," and that we can be quite a few different people. When I'm working with customers, I'm friendly and courteous. When I'm around family, I'm goofy and silly. There's no reason for us to stick to some character archetype. different situations call for different behavior. But it is a learned trait that I feel most insane/random/evil people aren't aware of.

[Asura]

<Snipped quote by Mr Allen J>

Some people think they're funny. Which they're not.

Can someone explain the appeal of joking about things that aren't jokes? Like joking about suicide, self-harm, autism, 9/11, ISIS... the list goes on and on.

@canaryrose

The world is full of awful. I choose to take that awful and turn it into something positive, if only a fleeting positive, in the form of laughter.

[Dolerman]

Can someone explain the appeal of Emma watson, I mean the other harry potter actors dont get as much mention as her, and outside of that franchise I dont really see her doing anything noteworthy.

[BrokenPromise]

@Dynamo Frokane She's cute as a button, and half of the movies she was in did really well at the box office. Sure, they were all harry potter, but the fact remains that she was in eight really successful movies.

While I didn't care for it, a lot of people also thought Noah was an okay movie.

[Dio]

@Dynamo Frokane

Her credits come into play about her activism, that's why she is in the news or at least entertainment news. She stands up for what she believes in and isn't afraid of the backlash that comes with it when being an activist.

Now if you mean credits for acting, I don't think she has an amazing amount of it but because she did go to college right after the Harry Potter movies, but she is or seems like a genuine person/actress who would be chill to work with as a director or producer.

Q: Froyo, what's so special about it?

[Dolerman]

@Dynamo Frokane She's cute as a button, and half of the movies she was in did really well at the box office. Sure, they were all harry potter, but the fact remains that she was in eight really successful movies.

While I didn't care for it, a lot of people also thought Noah was an okay movie.

@BrokenPromise

So the only thing that seperates her from the other two harry potter actors who were in 8 successful movies is being 'cute as a button' ? I'm sure there are plenty attractive women in franchises that arent as spoken about as she is. But meh, I guess its one of those anomalies like one direction.

@Dynamo Frokane

Her credits come into play about her activism, that's why she is in the news or at least entertainment news. She stands up for what she believes in and isn't afraid of the backlash that comes with it when being an activist.

@Denny

Not to discredit her but I dont think ive ever seen anyone identify as an activist who was afraid of being an activist, I think it sort of comes with the title to stand up for things. and I dont think that makes her unique among other hollywood activists, like Jesse Williams or Leo Di Caprio for example.

Overall I'm not seeing the appeal but I'll chalk it up to being a decent looking girl in a popular franchise, I guess sometimes thats enough.

A. Froyo is essentially a cute twist on a very popular dessert. People have been into frozen yogurt for a long time and Froyo appeals to a demographic who are inthe plushy/moe/etsy cliques. So its appeal broadens to a new generation.

[ArenaSnow]

popularity ≠ quality

"Irregardless" also ain't a word.

@pugbutter

Well, lets see. Regardless is without regard, irregardless is without having that state of being without regard, which means irregardless means you have some form of regard.

So I guess he was including his personal biases. ;p

[pugbutter]

[Wade Wilson]

What's the appeal of being an asshole (and/or proud of being one)?

[ButtsnBalls]

What's the appeal of being an asshole (and/or proud of being one)?

@Wade Wilson

You get to shit on people.

[Wade Wilson]

<Snipped quote by Wade Wilson>

You get to shit on people.

@gcold

But what's the appeal of shitting on people?

[Burning Kitty]

<Snipped quote by gcold>

But what's the appeal of shitting on people?

@Wade Wilson

Sick sexual fetish pleasure?

[Dolerman]

Jesus, that was stupid, who the hell is going to intelligently defend something as negative and broad as 'being a proud asshole'? I think the point of the thread is ask the appeal of things that you think people might actually be a fan of, instead of just trying to indirectly virtue signal that you 'dont understand bad people' smh.

I've got one, can someone explain the appeal of the DCEU? I know there are a few things about it I dont mind, but what are the factors that make it a worthwhile film franchise to you?

[Gutshot]

Jesus, that was stupid, who the hell is going to intelligently defend something as negative and broad as 'being a proud asshole'? I think the point of the thread is ask the appeal of things that you think people might actually be a fan of, instead of just trying to indirectly virtue signal that you 'dont understand bad people' smh.

@Dynamo Frokane

Then what's the appeal of anal?

Anyways, to answer your question, DCEU really rides off the backs of lore and superhero fans and their wants. It's a superhero action movie; you see the people you like, they do the things you like, and they fight the things you like in the way you like. It really is pandering, but it gives good entertainment to people who want that kind of show. I find it only redeeming because it's a DC film, and it gives to DC fans, who want DC films. There's really not much to talk about it after that. Movies have to cater to some audience, right?

_{Disclaimer: I'm not saying all DC fans want half-baked action films, I'm only saying that's what the studios are putting out, and that's what the crowds of movie-goers are eating up. DC comics are pretty ok; the movies are not (in my opinion).}