…and that brings us to the uncomfortable question of whether intense hatred / anger for art is easier for people to muster or believe than intense love and fondness? But yeah… like… I honestly think that videos where someone lists their ten favourite games for a given genre or system or w/e are…
I definitely believe that people are far more unwilling to state their appreciation for art then their distaste. Expressing disapproval of something just means it wasn't for you, even if it was popular, but stating that you love something says something about you. It's just way more vulnerable.
I remember writing reams and reams about poor football performances and how they made me feel, and then when I tried to write about an impressive win it just felt so awkward and I didn't know what to say. Negative feelings seem to be more ... accessible, I guess?
Yeah maybe it's not that negativity is more entertaining, just that it's easier to write?
…a lot more fun to watch than your average AVGN type thing. And at least equally fun to watch compared to your average *competently* negative review. It's just fun to see someone be all like "OH MAN I FUCKING LOVED THIS GAME IT WAS SOOOOOOO GOOD DUDE DUDE DUDE".
We fondly remember AVGN, but I keep rewatching Monster Madness
it's way harder to be creative about positives, its easier to find stuff to complain about, and yeah it drives more engagement, but totally agreed, I also love reviews/essays where the person KNOWS the stuff so they mention connections to other pieces of media to contextualize, which is hard too
THIS! Yes please more culture and encouragement around sharing what you love and are passionate about in ways the reinforce confidence in creativity. It’s so sad to meet more and more people who think they aren’t allowed to be happy or passionate about things they like and my heart breaks 💔
There’s also almost always something positive to talk about. Most of my favourite things are flawed, and often it’s the flaws that make me love them. Unless they have something truly ugly at their core, of course. Then screw them.
yeah but just mentining good things about bad work isn't what I mean. I mean people effusing about things they sincerely love. *that's* entertaining.
This is true.