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

[pugbutter]

Why were Twilight and Fifty Shades popular? Why are sports popular? Why are Call of Duty and Skyrim popular?

Stupid people don't like smart media, because smart media make them feel stupid when they don't understand what's going on in the plot or how to do [insert high-skill task here] in a videogame.

So the most popular media are stupid as fuck because more people are able to comprehend it and get enjoyment out of it. The DC universe is what happens when The Dark Knight is critically praised and makes a lot of money, but not "enough" money. They wanted a larger audience, they want more paying moviegoers. And you expand your audience by filling fewer niches and by alienating fewer people. You try to appeal to everyone simultaneously instead of catering to "hardcore" fans or to film buffs, and the result, at least in the eyes of people who care a lot about film, is generally a mediocre mess with bad pacing (action scenes shoehorned in to entertain dumb people, and in the case of superhero movies to also sell toys), and too thin a plot, etc.

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What's the appeal of dancing, nightclubs, and the party life in general?

[ClocktowerEchos]

"What's the appeal of dancing, nightclubs, and the party life in general?"

Because people feel the need to interact with other human beings in a manner which involves terrible loud music, terrible dancing, drinking, possibly drugs while attempting to cop a feel or get lucky to varying degrees of success or lack thereof.

Someone explain to me the appeal of post-ironic meta memes and why is this one dude I know trying to make a serious presentation on the evolution of the meme and what ironic and meta memes are like.

[Keyguyperson]

@ClocktowerEchosDidn't I already explain this one? I had an analysis of modern memes on the basis of economic and material conditions through the lens of the class divide.

[ClocktowerEchos]

@ClocktowerEchosDidn't I already explain this one? I had an analysis of modern memes on the basis of economic and material conditions through the lens of the class divide.

@Keyguyperson

One with less communism plz

[Keyguyperson]

<Snipped quote by Keyguyperson>

One with less communism plz

@ClocktowerEchos

Do you honestly expect me to write a non-marxist analysis of ironic memes?

[ClocktowerEchos]

<Snipped quote by ClocktowerEchos>

Do you honestly expect me to write a non-marxist analysis of ironic memes?

@Keyguyperson

Yes

[Keyguyperson]

<Snipped quote by Keyguyperson>

Yes

@ClocktowerEchos

Well you really shouldn't.

[ClocktowerEchos]

<Snipped quote by ClocktowerEchos>

Well you really shouldn't.

@Keyguyperson

no u

[Keyguyperson]

<Snipped quote by Keyguyperson>

no u

@ClocktowerEchos

I'm gonna actually be serious here: I really don't think there's an explanation beyond the one I already gave earlier. It's all connected to the recession's impact on culture, and the seemingly ever-approaching threat of a full-on cyberpunk dystopia.

[POOHEAD189]

Because people feel the need to interact with other human beings in a manner which involves terrible loud music, terrible dancing, drinking, possibly drugs while attempting to cop a feel or get lucky to varying degrees of success or lack thereof.

@ClocktowerEchos

But why do they need it? Why do they need such terrible things?

[pugbutter]

What is the appeal of, uh...this?

[Slypheed]

What is the appeal of, uh...this?

@pugbutter

I was gonna try and review it for you.
Then I saw that word...
"Multiverse"

[Inimical]

What is the appeal of, uh...this?

@pugbutter

Ouch.

[Drache]

Can someone please explain the appeal of anime? I have only seen one or two movies and few episodes of various shows in my life but I just don't understand the allure. The animation seems jerky, the graphic style often over-simplified and childish, and I either have to watch with subtitles or listen to it badly-dubbed. Sometimes the storylines are interesting and unique but in those instances I'd rather just read the books than watch all the bs flashing quirkily across my screen. Explain?

[POOHEAD189]

@DracheARE YOU SAYING ALL ANIMATION MADE IN JAPAN IS TERRIBLE!? RACIST.

But seriously, the stuff you describe does occur, and I have no idea why people like it. But not all anime is like that.

[PlatinumSkink]

@Drache The appeal of anime... Well. For one thing... there are hundreds of them. It's a whole world to explore, lying right at my fingertips through the invention of the internet, my apologies anime-makers. They contain some of the most quirky, strange and imaginative stories that I would never have thought of, sometimes with great comedy, other times with great drama. The stories they tell are, according to me, simply amazing. Granted, there are other places that tell amazing stories, but why would I let go of such an enormous source of imagination?

So there are examples of better and worse anime. Of course. But, nonetheless, I am easily entertained. I laugh, I cry, and I get inspired. Subtitles is the way to go because then you cannot miss anything, not sure why that would bother you. In any case, it isn't like I have anything better to do while I eat each meal, so I might as well watch an episode. Each is typically just 20 minutes, so that's perfect. After that, it's the same appeal as when someone else might watch a tv-show or movie.

Otherwise, that "childishness" you describe, it appeals to me. I like watching them much more than I like watching humans acting, for whatever reason. It automatically feels like I can take them less seriously, that I don't have to invest as much, and that's how I like it. The comedy is amazing. The dramatic plots are also sometimes amazing. And sometimes, I can unwind by watching the most childish **** in existence when I'm tired of everything else, so much variety. ... And then there's the fact I was exposed to it at an early age, so perhaps that factors in. But, yeah. I like imaginative cartoons that sometimes can be comedic, sometimes serious, sometimes just extremely weird. Japan is such a unique culture. Haha.

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Now answer me this.

Can someone explain the appeal of Game of Thrones? Song of Ice and Fire?

The only thing I've heard about it is that people die a lot in it, when people least expect it. Why would I willingly get myself into a journey where I know that people I'll start liking will get killed off left and right? What's the point in that? It feels like I would be subjecting myself to torture. What's the appeal in that?

[JDolan]

Can someone explain the appeal of Game of Thrones? Song of Ice and Fire?

The only thing I've heard about it is that people die a lot in it, when people least expect it. Why would I willingly get myself into a journey where I know that people I'll start liking will get killed off left and right? What's the point in that? It feels like I would be subjecting myself to torture. What's the appeal in that?

@PlatinumSkink

You're right. It is basically because people die constantly. The fact that the author, the show-runners, etc, refuse to pander to their audience for any "fan favorites" and the like is, indeed, a small part of the series' popularity. They give zero fucks about their audience's preferences...and instead are simply out there to create an interesting story, whatever the consequences. Its popularity also stems from its ability, its desire, its mandate really, to be realistic. Too often in fantasy settings, things get whitewashed. People are poor but happy. The protagonists are just and wise. The kingdom is, if a little dysfunctional, then benevolent in its intentions. The world of Westeros is, at the core, none of those things. It is a dark, dangerous, place where people are not saved by the mystical powers of Plot Armor simply because they are the hero of the tale. They will die because the world is by its nature a dangerous place and sharp pointy things don't give two shits if you're the King of X or the Prince of Y or if you're a righteous soul. Righteousness doesn't protect you from anything.

In a word, it is popular because it's so damned refreshing to a lot of folks who have grown up on the idealized fantasy setting where everything is in black and white. By that same token, the lack of clear lines of good and evil are appealing to so many folks. The universe exists in shades of grey, and GRR Martin does a rather fine job of allowing everyone to have some depth and dimension to it, some noble and redeeming quality that helps make all of the cruelty they willingly and gleefully inflict upon each other all the more bearable and understandable. Thus, whenever someone dies, anyone...people care. Even if a character is the genocidal love-child of Hitler and Stalin, raised by Pol Pot...someone's gonna love the character because he has a fondness for refreshing white wines, fishing, warm fireplaces, horses, or once gave a kitten a ball of yarn to play with.

Oh, and there's also the food-porn in the books. And the casual sexual depravity in both the books and series.

[Dolerman]

@DracheARE YOU SAYING ALL ANIMATION MADE IN JAPAN IS TERRIBLE!? RACIST.

But seriously, the stuff you describe does occur, and I have no idea why people like it. But not all anime is like that.

@POOHEAD189

[Drache]

@PlatinumSkink

Sorry but nothing you really said made me inspired to commit to watching Anime. Maybe you could provide examples of what might be considered good.

As for GoT/ASoIaF.

I can only answer for the books because when the show started to diverge a lot from the book storyline I stopped watching.

For one thing, it's a low-magic medieval fantasy that isn't overly similar to anything else we have already seen a la LOTR, etc. It's also written for adults with a lot of mature themes and for many of us it filled the literary void left for us when Harry Potter was over and when we outgrew things like Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms.

For another, there is a lot of political intrigue that can be complicated to follow, which makes the story a lot more fun, and to me it seems well-balanced with the combat/action and fantasy elements. Yes, people die, and they are often people who you might have grown attached to, but it has a very hyper-reality/visceral horror to it that only makes you wonder who is actually going to make it to the end. I don't know about you but part of the joy of reading is the genuine sadness when a character I like dies. Stories that are happily-ever-after are boring and unrealistic. I think a lot of people who read a lot as kids are enjoying having these books as adults.

Also, there are a lot of memorable moments and phrases from it that are fun to share. "The night is dark and full of terrors." "Oh, my sweet summer child."

Also it has dragons which pretty much automatically sold me. ;P

The only thing I don't like about it (apart from the show going completely off-script) is that the author is taking a long time to finish it up. I believe there's been some concern about him actually completing the series.

Also, Peter Dinklage is fucking hot.

[Garattee]

I knew it was only a matter of time before this thread became a GoT and Anime Circlejerk.