Offended Taste

[jetpack_monkey]

*sigh* Why is it that any time somebody attacks Whedon as a no-talent hack and describes Buffy as a teenybopper show with stupid plots and ridiculous dialogue, I feel the need to jump headfirst in the fray and tell the person exactly why they're wrong. I've seen this twice in the past couple days (once on Peter David's blog and once on Ain't It Cool News) and I've managed to rein in the impulse, thankfully.

Am I so unsure of my own taste that I feel the need to vigorously defend it against attacks? Why the need to "show people the light"? I mean, these are exactly the kinds of practices I abhor in other areas of life (religion, politics), but when it comes to television and movies, I get this whole superiority complex. Yesterday one of the judges at work called Lost in Translation a "boring waste of celluloid." Not only did I argue the point against one of my superiors, but I pulled the "I'm a film critic" card, which is seriously weak and wanktastic to boot.

I suppose it's because I see film and television as my niche, my area of expertise, and I therefore know more about it than others. The thing about taste, however, is that it's subjective. I can't possibly tell another person that they're wrong to hate something or love something.

Then again, part of the reason for ire elevation is that a lot of these attacks aren't only directed at the works, but also the people who like said works (the AICN post admonished Whedonites to get off the man's genitals). You can't win against such attacks, either. I try separating the work with the conniseur of said work, although it doesn't always work (see my disdain for people who think Friday the 13th is the height of the horror genre).

I dunno. My easy annoyance at such attacks on taste is really indicative that I have the same exact problem, but on the defensive. Then again, I've never really hidden the fact that I can be a pretentious ass, so what do I really expect?

Subpoint: Believing that pop culture is a rich vein of interesting discussion, ripe for dissection and deconstruction does not necessarily make me pretentious. It just makes me interested at a level where I'm comfortable.

Comments

[qkellie.livejournal.com]

I could say something intelligent here, but, really, the critics or even just the average citizens (including your supervisor!) who slam stuff you like? First of all, screw 'em. Second of all, nobody will agree 100% of the time, even the most brainiac, cinema theory spoutin' thinky types, so ultimately, I think whatever causes discourse and debate about a piece of artwork (and, yes, film and television qualify) is a good, good thing for the world. The very fact that you're riled up right now is proof positive that you've got opinions and feelings about creativity that are valid and deeply felt!

And, okay, so maybe that was SORT of intelligent of me. *g* I could've just said "to hell with meanies who disagree with your opinions." ;)

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

*nodnod*

I'm less aggravated now. I just don't like being Mr. Almighty Opinion Guy. Recent events have really forced me to look at how I view myself and others, and it's not always pretty. I have a serious superiority complex in some things, born out of a need for control in my life.

A Slightly Different View

[keith5by5.livejournal.com]

But equally, I really enjoyed Angel and Buffy (to a lesser extent, it was initally the stronger show, but S6 & 7, ugh), however I thought Firefly was awful and have been attacked by Whendonites for saying the guy is fallible.