Just don't get what the appeal is? Ask here, and we'll do our best to explain our obsessions. This is NOT a thread for ranting, criticism of others' obsessions or for leading questions. This is thread for people who honestly want to understand why other people find stuff so appealing. I'll start with two of my own:
I don't get metal music. I like songs from every other genre, even pop, country and rap, but I have yet to hear a metal song that I wouldn't rather turn off. Help me understand!
I don't get 4e power sources. They're convenient little blurbs that can be used as default fluff or to spark ideas, but I don't get the fixation that so many gamers seem to have with them. Why are there 5+ page threads discussing what the next power sources might be, which classes will be in which sources, whether the newest classes are properly power sourced, etc...help me understand!
I don't get metal music. I like songs from every other genre, even pop, country and rap, but I have yet to hear a metal song that I wouldn't rather turn off. Help me understand!
I'll try this one.
First, I need to say that I don't think you will ever get it. That's not meant to be snippy or snide. But it is like personal taste in anything else. Very few people like everything in any broad category. (Television shows, music, preferred sex partners, etc.) Combine that with I think the metal - country - rap triangle is a set of "opposition schools," of a sort and you already enjoy two of them... And I just don't think it will happen.
But to try and explain why I like it. It reaches out to me. Really. It is very likely due to my near constant level of anger, rage, and/or hatred. But the rhythms - such as they are - "speak" to my "soul." I suspect that they trigger certain chemical reactions in my brain that reduces other chemical levels that lead to my near constant level of anger, rage, and/or hatred.
I'm not trying to suggest that everyone who enjoys metal music is so angry all the time. This is just why I like it.
Also, I don't like all of it myself. Death Metal, which is a bit of a misnomer, is a category of metal music I just don't like.
I don't get metal music. I like songs from every other genre, even pop, country and rap, but I have yet to hear a metal song that I wouldn't rather turn off. Help me understand!But to try and explain why I like it. It reaches out to me. Really. It is very likely due to my near constant level of anger, rage, and/or hatred. But the rhythms - such as they are - "speak" to my "soul." I suspect that they trigger certain chemical reactions in my brain that reduces other chemical levels that lead to my near constant level of anger, rage, and/or hatred.
Funny, that's what rap does for me. There's no accounting for taste, I guess.
I'm wondering how anybody likes 'American Idol'... I just don't get that show.
I don't like AI either, but I'll try to explain the appeal as best I've gathered from those who do. (Hm, never wrote that as an acronym before. Coincidence? I think not...)
The season auditions are fun because they offer the perfect opportunity for us to laugh at the ineptitude of others. We all know people in our lives that are horribly inept, but don't realize it. There are times we want to laugh and shout at them, but can't for one reason or another. AI auditions let us laugh at people like them.
And then when the show gets serious, we get to watch a bunch of hott people dance around on stage for our entertainment. We also get to pick a favorite and root for them, like we do with sports teams. And then there's the voting process that we Americans love so much (except when it involves our own politicians); voting lets us be a part of the show by having a real effect on its outcome.
Hope that helps.
I'm wondering how anybody likes 'American Idol'... I just don't get that show.I don't like AI either, but I'll try to explain the appeal as best I've gathered from those who do. (Hm, never wrote that as an acronym before. Coincidence? I think not...)
The season auditions are fun because they offer the perfect opportunity for us to laugh at the ineptitude of others. We all know people in our lives that are horribly inept, but don't realize it. There are times we want to laugh and shout at them, but can't for one reason or another. AI auditions let us laugh at people like them.
And then when the show gets serious, we get to watch a bunch of hott people dance around on stage for our entertainment. We also get to pick a favorite and root for them, like we do with sports teams. And then there's the voting process that we Americans love so much (except when it involves our own politicians); voting lets us be a part of the show by having a real effect on its outcome.
Hope that helps.
Well put. I know that in my house, my wife and son enjoy the first ("humiliation") phase of the show. I'm certain the producers go out of their way to highlight the freaks and weirdos that make up that portion of the show, but it seems like they have plenty of material to work with.
I personally don't care for American Idol, but I can definitely see the appeal. I hear enough about it at work that I feel that I've practically seen the show anyway.
Okay, I read Dune because everyone says it's one of the most classic science fiction novels ever. And I thought it was okay; didn't love it, didn't hate it. I just don't really get why it's so loved. The world-building is good, but I think Herbert has some flaws in his writing and characterization. Everyone felt really flat to me. So why does everyone love it so much?
Okay, I read Dune because everyone says it's one of the most classic science fiction novels ever. And I thought it was okay; didn't love it, didn't hate it. I just don't really get why it's so loved. The world-building is good, but I think Herbert has some flaws in his writing and characterization. Everyone felt really flat to me. So why does everyone love it so much?
I had the same reaction to Dune. It was kinda "meh" for me. I read it after I saw the David Lynch movie, which may have influenced my reading experience. I really enjoyed the movie, but the friends who had read the book beforehand absolutely hated it. Considering the liberties taken with the source material, I can understand why.
Nascar.
"Reality" shows like Big Brother, Survivor etc. - i.e. shows with people "locked up" somewhere and lots of inane "intrigue" supposedly going on between the contestants.
Gangsta rap... now, although I'm mostly a hard rock/alternative rock/metal (whoever comes up with all these "genres" of music?) I must also admit to have had a hip hop period in my life, but back then I listened to the more mellow/intellectual/jazzy/alternative style mostly prominent in the late 80's, very early 90's, like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development, Digable Planets, Gang Starr/Guru etc.. Heck, my most "hardcore" album was probably Naughty By Nature. Even today I still like this kind of hip hop, both for the nostalgia, but also because it's just "good music" TM.
How many gangsta lyrics about your ho's, money, jewelry, guns and fake toughness do we really need?
So no one can explain why they like Nascar? Yeah, I figured as much. :-p
As someone who lives in the American south, I'm supposed to like Nascar but I've never been able to get into it. I never saw the point of running around in a big circle.
|
So no one can explain why they like Nascar? Yeah, I figured as much. :-p
NASCAR, it's alot of fun if you go to the track and watch it in RL, but even I don't understand watching it on TV, or listening to the race on the radio. At the track you've got the sights and sounds, the smell of burning tires, the cheers of the crowd. It's alot of exicitement. But unless I've got tickets I don't realy follow it.
Nascar would be alright if they let their wives or girlfriends be in the passenger seat.
Not only would they freak out (as they always do) but the constant
"honey.. your gonna make a left... left.. left.. LEFT.. TURN!"
Would make it much more interesting.
"Honey.. aren't you going to pit for fuel? No? Tires? No? "
etc..etc..
That's a great idea WD! What would make it really great is to have a live camera in there to show what's going on between the two and it would really show the true dysfunctional nature of Southern relationships. That would be hilarious!
|
|
That's a great idea WD! What would make it really great is to have a live camera in there to show what's going on between the two and it would really show the true dysfunctional nature of Southern relationships. That would be hilarious!Nascar would be alright if they let their wives or girlfriends be in the passenger seat.
Not only would they freak out (as they always do) but the constant
"honey.. your gonna make a left... left.. left.. LEFT.. TURN!"
Would make it much more interesting.
"Honey.. aren't you going to pit for fuel? No? Tires? No? "
etc..etc..
Hey now! Why you gotta go and rag on us southerners for? ;p
That's a great idea WD! What would make it really great is to have a live camera in there to show what's going on between the two and it would really show the true dysfunctional nature of Southern relationships. That would be hilarious!
Hey now! Why you gotta go and rag on us southerners for? ;p
Well, I'm a lifelong southerner myself. You gotta admit there is an element of truth to it. ;)
Gangsta rap... now, although I'm mostly a hard rock/alternative rock/metal (whoever comes up with all these "genres" of music?) I must also admit to have had a hip hop period in my life, but back then I listened to the more mellow/intellectual/jazzy/alternative style mostly prominent in the late 80's, very early 90's, like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development, Digable Planets, Gang Starr/Guru etc.. Heck, my most "hardcore" album was probably Naughty By Nature. Even today I still like this kind of hip hop, both for the nostalgia, but also because it's just "good music" TM.
How many gangsta lyrics about your ho's, money, jewelry, guns and fake toughness do we really need?
Well, the success of gangsta rap over other varieties is mainly because it makes the people who listen to it feel like a tough, cool criminal than they actually are. As to why there's so much of it, it's the same thing that happened to the Beatles. A few good ones show up, then a bunch of other, mediocre ones show up to cash in on the popularity.
In other words, most rap will be about guns, *female dogs* and bling until immature white guys stop thinking it's cool.
|
|
Well, I'm a lifelong southerner myself. You gotta admit there is an element of truth to it. ;)That's a great idea WD! What would make it really great is to have a live camera in there to show what's going on between the two and it would really show the true dysfunctional nature of Southern relationships. That would be hilarious!
Hey now! Why you gotta go and rag on us southerners for? ;p
I think all relationships are dysfunctional. The happy ones are the most deviant ones of the bunch!! :P
Gangsta rap... now, although I'm mostly a hard rock/alternative rock/metal (whoever comes up with all these "genres" of music?) I must also admit to have had a hip hop period in my life, but back then I listened to the more mellow/intellectual/jazzy/alternative style mostly prominent in the late 80's, very early 90's, like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development, Digable Planets, Gang Starr/Guru etc.. Heck, my most "hardcore" album was probably Naughty By Nature. Even today I still like this kind of hip hop, both for the nostalgia, but also because it's just "good music" TM.
How many gangsta lyrics about your ho's, money, jewelry, guns and fake toughness do we really need?Well, the success of gangsta rap over other varieties is mainly because it makes the people who listen to it feel like a tough, cool criminal than they actually are. As to why there's so much of it, it's the same thing that happened to the Beatles. A few good ones show up, then a bunch of other, mediocre ones show up to cash in on the popularity.
In other words, most rap will be about guns, *female dogs* and bling until immature white guys stop thinking it's cool.
It's a few years old, but if you haven't already, check out Deltron 3030. He's the guy that rapped on the first Gorillaz album and it's pretty sweet. All about cybernetic implants, rap battles in space and stuff like that. There's still plenty of the hip-hop masculinity but the sci-fi elements are center stage.
|
Well put. I know that in my house, my wife and son enjoy the first ("humiliation") phase of the show.
I have this weird empathy problem (and yeah, that's not a dig, or an underhanded inference that other people don't have enough empathy, it's a real problem!) where if someone on TV (or in real life) is horribly embarassing themselves, I get uncomfortable and have to leave.
Really. I seriously have to get up and leave. The scene in the second American Pie movie where the main character superglues his hand down his shorts and the cops are yelling at him to put his hands up, and he's practically crying, 'I can't!' Acute discomfort for me, ended only by getting up and walking out of the theater.
I don't watch American Idol for the simple fact that I don't watch Reality TV (unless MythBusters counts...), but now that I know it's got a whole segment devoted to humiliating people, I'm *less* likely to watch it!
|
|
As for the original topic;
Metal music - I like music I can sing along with, and most metal has a really active heart-accelerating beat to it (making it great to work out to!). I can sing along with Marilyn Manson or Korn or Avenged Sevenfold's newer stuff. On the other hand, speed metal does nothing for me. It's too unclear for me to enjoy. Rammstein's Du Hast is probably the cut off point for me, anything harder and faster than that is not likely to work for me. I'd rather listen to something slower, that I still can't understand, like Enya or Chant, since it's at least melodic! I like a lot of 80s era 'heavy metal,' which is basically just edgy pop, by today's standards, since KISS and Poison and Motley Crue and Whitesnake weren't any 'harder' sounding than Linkin Park or Breaking Benjamin or Seether are today.
Rap music - I don't care much for it for the same reason that I don't care for today's country music (not to be mistaken for the country music of 20 and 30 years ago, which has some awesome stuff). Too many dudes singing *advertisements* about themselves. I wear this, I eat that, I drive this, I'm a good old boy, who drinks this and blah-blah-blah. I want to hear a song, dork, I don't want to date you. I don't care what you drive or drink or wear! Neal Stephenson, in Snow Crash, had an over-the-top send up of that with a Japanese rapper character who sang a song advertising himself, and it was funny, but now I turn on the radio and hear that exact sort of thing, and it's just pathetic. Can't stand Limp Bizkit for the same reason. Buncha narcissistic egomaniacs.
So no one can explain why they like Nascar? Yeah, I figured as much. :-pNASCAR, it's alot of fun if you go to the track and watch it in RL, but even I don't understand watching it on TV, or listening to the race on the radio. At the track you've got the sights and sounds, the smell of burning tires, the cheers of the crowd. It's alot of exicitement. But unless I've got tickets I don't realy follow it.
But then it would be more for the "crowd experience" than for the race itself. I guess the same can be said for baseball or any other kind of "stadium event."
Gangsta rap... now, although I'm mostly a hard rock/alternative rock/metal (whoever comes up with all these "genres" of music?) I must also admit to have had a hip hop period in my life, but back then I listened to the more mellow/intellectual/jazzy/alternative style mostly prominent in the late 80's, very early 90's, like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development, Digable Planets, Gang Starr/Guru etc.. Heck, my most "hardcore" album was probably Naughty By Nature. Even today I still like this kind of hip hop, both for the nostalgia, but also because it's just "good music" TM.
How many gangsta lyrics about your ho's, money, jewelry, guns and fake toughness do we really need?Well, the success of gangsta rap over other varieties is mainly because it makes the people who listen to it feel like a tough, cool criminal than they actually are. As to why there's so much of it, it's the same thing that happened to the Beatles. A few good ones show up, then a bunch of other, mediocre ones show up to cash in on the popularity.
In other words, most rap will be about guns, *female dogs* and bling until immature white guys stop thinking it's cool.
Yeah, I find it extremely funny that the vast majority of gangsta rap buyers are white suburban teens.
Which could lead into a segment on the clothing style of the younger generations, but I think I'll let it slide, don't feel like ranting. ;-)
As for the original topic;
Metal music - I like music I can sing along with, and most metal has a really active heart-accelerating beat to it (making it great to work out to!). I can sing along with Marilyn Manson or Korn or Avenged Sevenfold's newer stuff. On the other hand, speed metal does nothing for me. It's too unclear for me to enjoy. Rammstein's Du Hast is probably the cut off point for me, anything harder and faster than that is not likely to work for me. I'd rather listen to something slower, that I still can't understand, like Enya or Chant, since it's at least melodic! I like a lot of 80s era 'heavy metal,' which is basically just edgy pop, by today's standards, since KISS and Poison and Motley Crue and Whitesnake weren't any 'harder' sounding than Linkin Park or Breaking Benjamin or Seether are today.
I fully agree with you here. I don't get the whole growling thing where you can't understand a f%*#ing word they say.
I like my metal hard hitting on the musical side, but I'd also like to understand the lyrics (well, hear them anyway ;-)).
Well put. I know that in my house, my wife and son enjoy the first ("humiliation") phase of the show.I have this weird empathy problem (and yeah, that's not a dig, or an underhanded inference that other people don't have enough empathy, it's a real problem!) where if someone on TV (or in real life) is horribly embarassing themselves, I get uncomfortable and have to leave.
Weird me too, I get really embarassed for their embarassment, no matter how silly or fake the movie, onscreen embarassment makes me uncomfortable I often go into the kitchen whatever for the duration of the scene.
As for metal, I like metal for the riffs, for the beat, for how it speeds my heart and makes me want to sing then scream. Many people think their overdone, but go see a Metallica concert if your really interested in giving it a go, just ignore any moshing and hold your fist in the air and sing along. Its euphoric. 80,000 people behind you, all feeling that same feeling, the anger, the freedom, hell theres even some g+%~#!ed love. It's an amazing experience.
Its the kind of things those wandering minster guys play on to make people embrace religion and their moral agendas.
I have the opposite opinion from a lot of you: I don't like Metallic and a lot of other metal but I like hardcore and speed metal where I can't understand the lyrics too well. After a while, you develop an ear for it and can often tell after one or two listens what they're saying. I think of it like considering the singer's voice as an instrument along the lines of the guitar or the bass rather than the central draw like the way a lot of musicians use it.
|
|
Its euphoric. 80,000 people behind you, all feeling that same feeling, the anger, the freedom, hell theres even some g~+!++ed love. It's an amazing experience.
It's kinda liberating, in a world where we have to watch what we say at work, in front of the kids, etc. to go to a Nine Inch Nails concert and, along with a couple thousand total strangers, scream, 'I want to **** you like an animal!' at the top of your voice.
Its euphoric. 80,000 people behind you, all feeling that same feeling, the anger, the freedom, hell theres even some g$&+!%ed love. It's an amazing experience.It's kinda liberating, in a world where we have to watch what we say at work, in front of the kids, etc. to go to a Nine Inch Nails concert and, along with a couple thousand total strangers, scream, 'I want to **** you like an animal!' at the top of your voice.
Yeah! Damn right it is! Its easy to get pent up in a society of diplomacy and correctness, often stupid levels of political correctness, its so nice to just cut loose!
Say F*** you world! And rock!
|
|
Its euphoric. 80,000 people behind you, all feeling that same feeling, the anger, the freedom, hell theres even some g*++~@ed love. It's an amazing experience.It's kinda liberating, in a world where we have to watch what we say at work, in front of the kids, etc. to go to a Nine Inch Nails concert and, along with a couple thousand total strangers, scream, 'I want to **** you like an animal!' at the top of your voice.
Interestingly, "nice" lyrics those.... A very nice sentiment...(no, I'm not kidding, basically, it says, I was horrid, but you make me better)
Well put. I know that in my house, my wife and son enjoy the first ("humiliation") phase of the show.I have this weird empathy problem (and yeah, that's not a dig, or an underhanded inference that other people don't have enough empathy, it's a real problem!) where if someone on TV (or in real life) is horribly embarassing themselves, I get uncomfortable and have to leave.
Really. I seriously have to get up and leave. The scene in the second American Pie movie where the main character superglues his hand down his shorts and the cops are yelling at him to put his hands up, and he's practically crying, 'I can't!' Acute discomfort for me, ended only by getting up and walking out of the theater.
I don't watch American Idol for the simple fact that I don't watch Reality TV (unless MythBusters counts...), but now that I know it's got a whole segment devoted to humiliating people, I'm *less* likely to watch it!
Fewer people watching American Idol is a good thing. I don't get as uncomfortable with it as you and vagrant-poet do, but I certainly don't enjoy watching embarrassing or awkward moments on screen.
Here's one thing I don't get: Why is it that celebrity-type attractiveness in women is measured by how thin a woman is? I'm sorry, but someone who's got their sternum or hip bones showing is not attractive to me.
Here's one thing I don't get: Why is it that celebrity-type attractiveness in women is measured by how thin a woman is? I'm sorry, but someone who's got their sternum or hip bones showing is not attractive to me.
I'm guessing it is the "opposite of society syndrome." Back when most people were starving, and just barely getting by, a healthier, plumper woman was more attractive.
Now that far too many people (myself included) are overweight, and not just by a little, I think ultra-thin is in.
I don't get it myself, but I am thinking that is where it comes from.
I don't even need to see bone to find a thin chick unattractive.
I have this weird empathy problem (and yeah, that's not a dig, or an underhanded inference that other people don't have enough empathy, it's a real problem!) where if someone on TV (or in real life) is horribly embarassing themselves, I get uncomfortable and have to leave.
I have that too! I worked at a market research place for a couple months where they paid me to watch TV and look for logos and product mention. I had to watch a couple audition episodes of AI, and it was horrible. The person next to me would have their head flung back in laughter, while my eyes would be twitching. And it sucked, because I couldn't just walk away, or even look away for an instant, because the judges have Coke cups in front of them and I was supposed to be recording how often and how often the camera got shots of the cups. It was such a relief when those two Indian siblings auditioned because they were actually good, even if they were awkward on stage.
On the topic of Dune, it's just about my favorite SF book. At least the first one. I guess characterization isn't as important to me as setting, so if the former is a bit lacking I can still love a book.
On the topic of gangsta rap...well, I tend to confuse music genres so I don't know if Eminem counts but I do like some of his stuff. Sometimes it just helps me get some anger out. Sometimes it's just funny, like Drug Ballad.
On the topic of NASCAR, I don't like it but I had quite a few college friends who did. The biggest fan was a motorhead, so the appeal there is pretty obvious. Other than that, NASCAR is a bunch of cars racing around faster than we're allowed to drive on the road. Kind of like an action movie, but real. I guess it gives guys [and some gals] the opportunity to talk about cars they can't afford and speeds they can't reach.
And I would totally start watching NASCAR if the wives rode along too!
A couple more things that I don't get:
Dinosaurs in fantasy. I like dinosaurs and I love fantasy, but I don't see how the two mix.
Time travel in...anything. I'm sure this sounds weird coming from someone who plays D&D but it's too...unreal. It creates logical paradoxes that make it really hard to buy into a story. So what's the deal?
|
I have the opposite opinion from a lot of you: I don't like Metallic and a lot of other metal but I like hardcore and speed metal where I can't understand the lyrics too well. After a while, you develop an ear for it and can often tell after one or two listens what they're saying. I think of it like considering the singer's voice as an instrument along the lines of the guitar or the bass rather than the central draw like the way a lot of musicians use it.
Yeah, I get that. I’m not much into speed metal or the really hardcore stuff myself, but I get the same sort of thing listening to say The Mars Volta. You can’t tell what the hell he’s saying half the time (at least at first listen), but the voice is an instrument, just as, but no more important than the rest of the instruments that make the songs.
Mind you, I do like a good “F*ck you, I won’t do what you tell me!” type sing-along too…
|
|
I have this weird empathy problem (and yeah, that's not a dig, or an underhanded inference that other people don't have enough empathy, it's a real problem!) where if someone on TV (or in real life) is horribly embarassing themselves, I get uncomfortable and have to leave.Really. I seriously have to get up and leave. The scene in the second American Pie movie where the main character superglues his hand down his shorts and the cops are yelling at him to put his hands up, and he's practically crying, 'I can't!' Acute discomfort for me, ended only by getting up and walking out of the theater.
I get that too. Maybe not quite as much as you describe (that scene in American Pie didn’t cause it), but when its something a bit more ‘realistic’ than that (not necessarily reality TV, but something I could see happening in real life) than is awkward or embarrassing or humiliating, yeah, I feel inclined to leave the room.
|
|
Some ‘reality’ TV I really don’t like, but there is some that I quite enjoy, Survivor being one.
Why do I like it? A few reasons I think. I’m totally inept when it comes to “survival” or even camping or hiking and things like that, so its kind of interesting for me to see how these people “survive” in the wild. Sure, I know its not that real, and I know that a lot of the time they are probably getting unseen help, or just totally going about things the wrong way, but I still find it interesting.
I find the physical and mental challenges interesting and often really well thought out and put together. A lot of the time they are in really beautiful and exotic environments, that’s a great backdrop for everything else. And of course there is the fact that you usually end up with a bunch of good looking, toned and tanned people walking around half in the nude. Good times.
I have this weird empathy problem (and yeah, that's not a dig, or an underhanded inference that other people don't have enough empathy, it's a real problem!) where if someone on TV (or in real life) is horribly embarassing themselves, I get uncomfortable and have to leave.
Philip Seymour Hoffman does this to me. I attribute it to his skill as an actor. I felt dirty watching Boogie Nights and 25th Hour.
Gangsta Rap
My wife teases me because I am Michael Bolton from Office Space, the middle aged nerd who is into Gangsta Rap. I got into Rap in the late 90’s when I felt Metal was loosing its edge. Grunge did little for me as I needed an outlet for my anger, not my angst. Rap was an outlet for my anger and had a great beat too. Do I want to be a gat packin’ slum lord? No. Do I sometimes not want to give a (censored)? Hells ya.
An acquaintance of mine once said he hated rap because it sounded like the singer was giving another guy head. I think he has a point (for some singers). Of course, most Metal sounds like the singer is taking it up the tail pipe.
Could someone explain the Harry Potter books to me?
Can someone explain to me why Bladerunner is thought to be such a great movie? I don't get it.
I wish someone explain Battlestar Galactica(reimagined) to me. I don't get it.