Summary
Once you've finished watching media you've drenched the entire experience in your own psychology and it's changed forever in a way only you can understand.
Elaine @thewebrecluse
November 12 2022 6:20am
I don’t discuss media mainly because there are only 6 types of people (especially on social media) and almost all of them should be avoided at all costs …
- People who watch and love film
- People who watch and love movies
- People who consume and love television
- People who have a deeply emotional connection to music
- People who have almost no background or education on any of the above
- People who attempt to weaponize media
Media is a combination of what is intended by the writer, director, and performers (which you just should sit and appreciate) and what is subjective opinion, transference, and trigger responses (none of which make for good conversations unless you’re comparing whatever you consciously or unconsciously projected into the experience in the first place). I don’t really see much value in such discussions unless you’re simply interested in listening to someone talk which can be very rewarding depending on the person.
It’s like reading reviews. Reviews are RARELY about the actual media being discussed. Reviews are the neurotic biases of the person who consumed the media and their opinion of it through said lens. Reviews are useless unless you’re most interested in the reviewer themselves.
The best way to consume any art is completely FRESH with no knowledge of it and even then, by the time you’re finished, you’ve drenched the entire experience in yourself, your issues, your psychology, your biases, etc and it’s changed forever in a way no one else but you can understand.
Unless people wholeheartedly agree on the punctum of a piece of art or they are educated enough to be able to discuss it at a high enough and unbiased level, you just end up with people barking at each other and talking subjective nonsense. Media discussions are very much like political discussions to me.
People like what they like … what’s to say? You either like it as well or you don’t and if you don’t then what do you have to add? More of your opinion which is drastically different from someone else? Ok why? What’s the point? Trying to force someone to see your perspective, educated or otherwise, is pointless be it regarding politics, media, or anything else.
I studied film for many years, I have a ton of friends and acquaintances in the film and television industry (in front of and behind the camera), I know a lot about film and a lot of history and actual facts about films that not a lot of people have or care to know. Talking to uneducated people about film is probably one of the worst wastes of time as well. Ever try to have a film discussion with someone who thinks they are smarter than the actual WRITER or DIRECTOR of the film? The level of ego and ridiculousness there astounds and bores me. Trying to share facts and knowledge with people is completely useless as most people don’t care about actual facts over their own opinions.
I steer very clear from fandom, fanatics, and other single-minded lovers of any given artistic thing. They are dangerous, neurotic, and often delusional bullies especially in groups online.
I think it’s great, selfless, and beautiful to share your passions with others, but I see no need to staunchly defend your positions or force your perspective on others. As someone who used to do it, I can tell you it’s a disgustingly selfish and childish habit that serves no one in any kind of positive way.
Art is personal and should stay that way.
You don’t have to like something I post about or even care that I like it. I’m sharing stuff I’m passionate about with people who may be interested in it or may not know about it. My opinion is not a sales pitch, nor do I want to discuss it, explain it, or debate it with anyone.
How you spend your time is completely up to you. If you want to check out something that I’ve recommended, epic! I hope you enjoy it. If not, that is totally fine too. At least you gave something new a shot and that is ALWAYS the thing that matters most to me; sharing something that people might not otherwise know about or imagine an interest in.
