I remember the first time I saw (and loved) There Will Be Blood I had an argument with a friend about it. He hated it and said he didn’t understand who could enjoy a movie like that–“everyone was so shitty, who am.i supposed to root for?” I was kinda floored by that, because I remember thinking it was amazing and near-perfect. To me it was like a surgical diagram, delving much deeper than some trite ethical parable into the minds of the powerful and the power-seeking, and demonstrating the world they perpetuate.
Not saying I was right when I disagreed, but I realized we were watching movies for different reasons. I had my foot in the real world, enjoying media for how it interacts with it, while he was enjoying movies as something to utterly submit yourself to. If a movie doesn’t have a good slot for him to sit in, he’s homeless in it. In some ways he probably enjoyed media more than I do.
Sometimes similar people to that revel in “everyone is an asshole” stories if what they get out of it is “therefore status quo good, pick your favorite ruling class monster to quote and emulate.” You can often tell when those stories come about and how they’ll be received when the supposed worst character is the one that is trying to improve society somewhat instead of just oinking and rolling in shit like everyone else in it.
This can sometimes miss its audience as the intended message. Look at how many people idolize and imitate Walter White or even fucking Patrick Bateman.
Tony Soprano is probably the best example. Undeniably a compelling character, constantly wavering in a sort of moral blind spot and making you think about the reliability of the signifiers we look for in figuring out who to trust. For some he’s just an awesome dad who kicks ass and gets shit done
I work where I have to meet lots of people that are generally not happy to see me because I’m talking to them about problems their kids are having in class. Also, I have coworkers that I am friendly enough with (it makes the day more bearable) that I just sort of quietly listen to their terrible takes. Also, bookstores and other hangouts around here tend to have very opinionated people that don’t hesitate to talk up strangers about their “ideas” (they want to sell you on some “hustle” or startup, both of which are abundant here).
Well, that and having a very chuddy biological family (in-laws are a lot better and that’s where I go for the holidays now).
I work where I have to meet lots of people that are generally not happy to see me because I’m talking to them about problems their kids are having in class.
See, I always thought you has some kind of office job adjacent to the IT sector, or something, cause that also comes up a lot in your posts.
I remember the first time I saw (and loved) There Will Be Blood I had an argument with a friend about it. He hated it and said he didn’t understand who could enjoy a movie like that–“everyone was so shitty, who am.i supposed to root for?” I was kinda floored by that, because I remember thinking it was amazing and near-perfect. To me it was like a surgical diagram, delving much deeper than some trite ethical parable into the minds of the powerful and the power-seeking, and demonstrating the world they perpetuate.
Not saying I was right when I disagreed, but I realized we were watching movies for different reasons. I had my foot in the real world, enjoying media for how it interacts with it, while he was enjoying movies as something to utterly submit yourself to. If a movie doesn’t have a good slot for him to sit in, he’s homeless in it. In some ways he probably enjoyed media more than I do.
Sometimes similar people to that revel in “everyone is an asshole” stories if what they get out of it is “therefore status quo good, pick your favorite ruling class monster to quote and emulate.” You can often tell when those stories come about and how they’ll be received when the supposed worst character is the one that is trying to improve society somewhat instead of just oinking and rolling in shit like everyone else in it.
“These are bad guys, good thing that’s not us” stories hit different than “nobody can be good actually” stories, sure
This can sometimes miss its audience as the intended message. Look at how many people idolize and imitate Walter White
or even fucking Patrick Bateman. 
Tony Soprano is probably the best example. Undeniably a compelling character, constantly wavering in a sort of moral blind spot and making you think about the reliability of the signifiers we look for in figuring out who to trust. For some he’s just an awesome dad who kicks ass and gets shit done
The worst chuds in my biological family directly quote that character, including to their own wives. Yes, they’re also wifebeating fascists.
Ulysses hows do you know so many terrible people?
Location, location, location!
I work where I have to meet lots of people that are generally not happy to see me because I’m talking to them about problems their kids are having in class. Also, I have coworkers that I am friendly enough with (it makes the day more bearable) that I just sort of quietly listen to their terrible takes. Also, bookstores and other hangouts around here tend to have very opinionated people that don’t hesitate to talk up strangers about their “ideas” (they want to sell you on some “hustle” or startup, both of which are abundant here).
Well, that and having a very chuddy biological family (in-laws are a lot better and that’s where I go for the holidays now).
See, I always thought you has some kind of office job adjacent to the IT sector, or something, cause that also comes up a lot in your posts.