I often come across posts where people are discussing the logic of a movie or comic book. An example could be Star Wars, where they discuss how a light saber works. Or which superheroes would win in a fight against each other. To me, it seems pointless to discuss such things as it is fiction. Just an insight into someone else’s imagination.
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Because it makes things more interesting. What do you like to talk about? Whatever it is, there’s someone who would tell you it’s pointless. The point in talking about fiction is the same as the point in consuming fiction in the first place: it’s entertaining
the pointless things are the most fun. also, there are things like consistency, you can have magic with boundaries for example, the rules dont have to be real to be discussed. but if its not your cup of tea who cares :D
Equally pointless as reading fiction in general, playing a video game, or daydreaming.
Yeah it’s just fun, like discussing who would win between universes e.g. bane vs. juggernaut
Eh, I don’t see it as a bipolar thing. There’s fiction that’s completely plausible, fiction that’s absolutely pie-in-the sky, and everything in-between.
I can see OP’s bafflement about why anyone would care about discussing stuff that’s borderline nonsense, but if you’re talking about the basic logistics, writing and plausibility of comic book (etc) plots, that seems like a perfectly legit discussion to me.
But like others have said, even if it’s not real-world plausible, it can still be fun and can still hatch ideas in technology, etc.
It’s a further exploration of the concepts. Thinking about how light sabers work gives you new ideas on hot the world has evolved over time. Why do they exist s but are so restricted? Then you can use your imagination to fill the gaps of the narrative. It’s a way to make the story interactive and make it yours.
Maybe they discuss it to get an insight into someone else’s imagination.
Fun thought experiments. Like, for example, The Flash has been portrayed as so inconceivably fast that why couldn’t he instantly transport anyone, anywhere and entirely replace all of the world’s manufacturing plants?. It’s absurd and amusing to think about.
People like to talk, and often already debate real life things to a level that borderlines on tedium, but they enjoy it. Anyone who has been in a group of academics in a conversation are familiar with this.
When it comes to fiction, I don’t look into it too deeply, but suspension of disbelief only goes so far. The logic of the work must make some kind of sense in the world that it takes place.
- If there is a civilization underwater, did they evolve to have gills or do they stay inside oxygen filled bubbles?
- If you can move objects with your mind, can be strengthen like a muscle and does it get tired out?
And the most important:
- If a character is evil, why are they that way? Lost sight of a lofty goal? Revenge for a past wrong? TBI?
This is why I’m not a big fan of “magic” because it seems like a lazy way to explain a phenomenon in fiction.
To develop a deeper understanding of and apprectikn for a universe.
It is fun to talk about things you enjoy, regardless of how pointless it is.
Ask my kid anything about Minecraft and you will see the light of joy it sparks in her eye. She knows it is pointless; she could make up half the words and it wouldn’t matter, but she still gets joy about talking about it and that’s the point i guess.
Because it’s fun and you get to bond with someone over the same interests.
As it was already said, it’s fun. Because it’s almost like trying to solve a puzzle. A well thought out world has incredible internal cohesion and mulling on it reveals angles that aren’t necessarily even explicitly pointed out. Realizing that interconnectedness is immensely satisfying (even if you only have it pointed out to you) and makes you appreciate the work even more. Let’s say a fantasy world where there’s a well thought out magic system, and a well thought out financial system - and thinking on it reveals that the two are very interconnected, even if it’s never highlighted in any way. It’s a meta-story within the story. Popular fiction tends to have a lot of this, which makes it a popular topic for discussion, which makes it more popular. Brandon Sanderson’s works are a great example of this. One Piece is a great example of this. I’d say the satisfaction of interconnectedness is also why multiverse stuff is so hot these days, though most of it is executed in a fairly lazy way (just piling things on top of each other and handwaving anything that doesn’t gel as “well, it was another timeline”, looking at you Marvel).
Of course sometimes there are some works that ride on such nice vibes that you don’t really care that it doesn’t really make much sense. Harry Potter being a good example (or at least was before Rowling went off the deep end). HP world building is actually so flimsy it’s embarrassing, but it still managed to tap in to such a good idea of a fantasy that people were largely willing to overlook it.
I think some of it is pointless but fiction can also be inspiring and thinking about it can help to turn the fiction into reality.
In that case, please discuss how to make flying cars, like Back To The Future, reality.
As others said, it’s fun.
Also, it engages critical thinking. One has to examine, make a claim, and defend with evidence. It may be silly, but it’s fundamentally helping you to think better.
Just an insight into someone else’s imagination.
Which is exactly why it can be interesting to discuss?
Edit: to add to everyone else saying “it’s fun,” it’s not just about that.
For me, it’s important that fictional stories (particularly outlandish subgenres like sci-fi or fantasy) must have internal consistency, unless I lose my ability to suspend disbelief.
Sometimes that means checking that the internal logic the author is using makes sense and stays consistent.
Absolutely 100% agree. Internal consistency is where the key is. And in order to have that consistency, the rules for the worldbuilding must be relatively clear and well established. It’s really interesting where a few fantasy/scifi creative ideas can take you if you start unraveling the consequences those ideas have on the rest of the created worldbuilding.
And conversely, there’s nothing more disappointing than a promising sci-fi or fantasy story that doesn’t care about internal consistency
I used to say that about people who discuss movies and football, but then I realized I’m just like them when it comes to music. I don’t see any reason to mock people’s trivial interests or claim that our triviality is somehow better than theirs. Life is harsh, and people just want to be happy.
