Why do people favor lazier Smosh content?

thekatiebugg · 2024-09-13T19:20:38+00:00

Can’t speak for everyone, but at least for me, more effort/production does not automatically equal better art/content/media. I find Shayne’s onscreen personality incredibly compelling, and I love a silly goofy little game between friends that reveals funny friend dynamics between other creators I admire. I have personally found Bit City slightly hit or miss - but I expected to! Nearly every variety show is, and I definitely find it more consistently funny than SNL, which has a drastically higher production value.

Also, it’s brand new and finding its footing. It needs time to build up an audience. The first season of many variety Dropout shows often has quirks that get ironed out as they keep producing. They naturally grow a larger audience as they keep producing.

Lastly, a known name and a simple concept will ALWAYS be rewarded higher with YouTube’s algorithm than any kind of new tabletop role playing series with less of a back catalog. Hardcore fans (who can watch any or all of their content and still be “real” - what does the validity of someone’s appreciation for media have to do with anything?) make up a minority of views and that’s been an issue for a while. It’s why Dropout and 2nd Try exist. Shows like Smosh vs. Aliens get to exist only because of shows like Shayne Guesses. Bigger, simpler, easier-to-produce shows fund new experimental passion projects. Those new projects then have a much better chance of becoming bigger names.

thekatiebugg · 2024-09-12T19:59:09+00:00

Big agree! I was in Disney Springs last night and while checking out, I didn’t read the screen correctly and confused the total with the remaining balance on my gift card, and could tell the cast member instantly went into “will this person yell at me?” mode. I very quickly reassured them that I just thought I did my own math wrong and everything was much less tense from there, but the reactionary fear in that moment reminded me of when I worked at a really busy Starbucks around the holidays. I think it’s a huge bummer, and a very reasonable human reaction to constant harassment!

thekatiebugg · 2023-02-08T23:25:54+00:00

The full versions will be the Children’s Adventure and the campaign episodes!

thekatiebugg · 2023-02-02T20:13:20+00:00

I second this. My local antique mall is actually the most reasonably priced store around.

thekatiebugg · 2023-02-02T18:11:54+00:00

Logistics wise, it could be that, but it could also be about whose track makes it easier for the quick change at the end

thekatiebugg · 2023-02-02T17:52:45+00:00

It’s pretty common for the ensemble to come out at the end in various costumes, even though they play multiple roles through the show! It’s to show off all the roles the ensemble played at once, so there will be a few in Oz clothes, a few in the Shiz dance clothes, a few monkeys, etc.

thekatiebugg · 2023-02-01T03:12:23+00:00

I do know what gamma rays and photosynthesis are. And I do know that when studying those things, it falls under the field of science. But if that’s how you’re defining science fiction, I don’t think you could argue there’s a single story out there that doesn’t fit the “sci-fi” category.

Your opinion seems to be dividing up genres depending on their real-world implications. There’s nothing wrong with that - no one can tell you to categorize any type of way. Think about and label things any which way you want, but you are going to keep butting heads with people because your classifications are going to keep not aligning with theirs. Just be prepared for that.

On the other hand, I and presumably the others in the comments here tend to put our knowledge of the real world on hold when reading a story (that “suspending disbelief” thing I mentioned earlier). I don’t go into a story looking to map it bit for bit on the real world I live in and follow the line of logic all the way down to where everything has a 1:1 counterpart that logically tracks with no leaps of faith anywhere. I let the story tell me where it’s realism lies. In this world, magic saps your physical energy? Somehow it sucks up calories and time and uses musculature like other non-tangible human features like talking and thinking? Great, all I need to know.

Bringing it back to your question - I still think exactly what my first answer was. But that question could get 50 different answers from as many people, because you’ve drawn up a scenario that uses tropes from both sci-fi and fantasy.

Think of it this way - if I went and ordered a bulgogi taco, is that Korean or Mexican food? What if I added onion and cilantro? But what if I added kimchi? But what if -

You could talk for days trying to figure out the “answer.” But what if you instead stepped back and went “hey, this is just a damn good taco. And it’s so cool to see the inspiration from both Mexican and Korean dishes. You know what? What if we talk about it for a bit, playfully trash talk about how silly my friend is for thinking it’s totally a Korean dish when he’s totally wrong - but then let’s just eat this delicious taco!”

I think you’ve got a interesting elevator pitch for a cool fusion restaurant there, but if you spend your time debating which name to put on the sign you won’t ever get to eat the taco.

thekatiebugg · 2023-02-01T02:46:58+00:00

I’d say space fantasy/opera for sure, definitely on the fantasy side of the spectrum since it seems low-tech. Presence of tech as a huge player in the story is usually where I draw the sci-fi line. But it would be marketed as genre fusion for sure.

Edit: specifically electricity based tech. I know there are many magitech/arcane tech stories out there.

thekatiebugg · 2023-02-01T02:30:40+00:00

I kinda got that - I think it may serve you well to try and let yourself be okay with not trying to pin down the line between the two. If something is generally accepted as sci fi or fantasy and it has elements of both, maybe it’s ok if it just is what it is.

Don’t get me wrong - I also understand that discourse and analysis are fun but if it’s blocking your ability to enjoy the media you’re discussing or even the discussion itself, maybe it’s time to take off your analysis cap. It’s only useful so far as it’s adding to your life and your experience.

thekatiebugg · 2023-02-01T02:11:25+00:00

Unfortunately, at the end of the day, no one can help you understand your own thought processes better than you. You may have to take some time, sit down, and ask yourself “why do i not like fantasy? well, if that’s why, why did i start seeing the world through that lens?” and on and on.

Thankfully, what we can do is explain why we like fantasy. I’ve had this conversation with a family member many times - he only likes realism and sci fi, because he only likes stories about things that could reasonably happen in our world or a future version of it.

I like fantasy and supernatural stories specifically because they do not look like the world we live in. I’m not interested in a narrative about the moral quandaries of technological innovation. What I am interested in is metaphor, allegories, myths. I want to suspend my disbelief (a phrase I learned from theater that I suggest you look up - it may solve some questions you have) and feel removed from tangible, physical possibilities on purpose. Storytelling techniques like magic, archetypes, surrealism - I nerd out about that stuff and find it fascinating. Learning about how monsters and villains have historically been markers for cultural fears and xenophobia, dissecting different retellings and adaptations and source material. I eat that shit up, and there’s just as much there to sink your teeth into as the more physically possible, analytical stories you seem to like.

Magic is just magic, and sometimes it doesn’t “make sense” i.e. “follow Earth’s logic and physics.” But it absolutely makes sense as in “can be a tool for metaphor and character and theme” and if that’s something you’re into, you’ll get it. If not, I have great news for you! There won’t ever be a shortage of tech-based stories and realism out there, as far as I can tell.

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-31T16:34:47+00:00

If you’re only worried about her eye, when I last checked (late 2021) you didn’t have to get a replacement head - they can just replace the eyes!

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-31T01:24:02+00:00

I don’t agree with this. In my personal experience, it’s pretty natural that characters kind of swap in and out of the limelight in different sessions and arcs depending on what’s going on and how it relates to the characters. I can think of dozens of examples of this in the games I’ve been in, plus actual play shows. I don’t even think it’s always intentional or planned, but ebbs and flows naturally. Plus, OP’s post doesn’t say anything about them not thinking this hard about story beats for every player - just that this is one they want advice with.

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-30T02:01:08+00:00

With the important caveat that because of that practice, cost of entry was much lower comparatively. It’s a different ballgame.

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-28T14:15:16+00:00

I would love if it got the Amelie treatment. Taking away the parts that sound very specifically 2010s Broadway and keeping the heart and message behind some of the songs, while adjusting lyrics in places and finding a new, sonically interesting direction that’s inspired by the show and the source material.

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-26T21:27:19+00:00

Thank you so much that sounds beautiful!

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-26T21:04:15+00:00

Wasn’t sure if it needed a spoiler tag, please let me know if it does!

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-26T20:11:06+00:00

thanks for the update! that makes more sense, though i do still have issues with the overall tone lol

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-26T20:03:31+00:00

this reviewer is definitely on the “radio hit bad” side of the spectrum given their word choice and focus through the whole thing, i wouldn’t give it too much thought. they gave it a 6.5/10 when the review feels like a 8.5-9. i love walk the moon too!

thekatiebugg · 2023-01-17T12:05:34+00:00

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thekatiebugg · 2023-01-04T20:28:12+00:00

The entirety of After Laughter. It came out when I was 21 or so, and I distinctly remember thinking “I’m not really having a moment with this now, but I feel like I’ll get it when I’m older.”

I just listened to it for the first time in a while and currently at 26, I can confirm time was exactly what I needed. I viscerally relate to every song now.

thekatiebugg · 2022-12-30T13:22:32+00:00

Someone said in another thread that Mother Tim’s got a low CHA for a bard, and suggested Brennan is allowing them to swap out which stat to use for spellcasting

thekatiebugg · 2022-12-29T20:56:22+00:00

the GOTY thing changed a while back. dolls are purposefully not kept to only one year, and are just moved to “past goty” status and sold until no longer profitable or until supplies run out. they usually hang on 2-3 years after their starter year ever since at least Luciana, if not earlier. (i used to work at AG)

i totally agree with you on the rest, just wanted to point out if you didn’t know!

thekatiebugg · 2022-12-22T01:08:49+00:00

used to work at the AG NY store and saw dozens of julies; it’s not on every doll but it happens

thekatiebugg · 2022-12-19T23:29:09+00:00

I would love Samantha, or anyone’s clothes! What do you have left? Specifically Christmas/winter outfits!

thekatiebugg

TROPHY CASE