Supernatural University: The Psychology of Attraction

[bardicvoice]

I’ve realized that, were I to meet Dean Winchester casually in real life, without the intimate knowledge of him that I’ve gained from two seasons of Supernatural, I would definitely NOT be attracted to him - despite him looking like a dead ringer for Jensen Ackles. That prompted me to contemplate what it is that draws me to characters in a show or

Comments

[pinkphoenix1985]

wow! Bardic- very insightful! and totally correct!!

[riverbella]

Very insightful, both as to the characters' characters and the general point made. I know I have had experiences in which a person I initially did not care for but was thrown together with for some reason--usually work--turned out to be a real jewel and became a close friend. In defense of human nature, we are all bombarded with so much input every day, including people with whom we have to interract, that it is sometimes just self-defense to go with snap judgments. But you are so right that we run the risk of missing out on a lot that way

[bardicvoice]

Thanks, riverbella! I definitely don't mind the suggestions; I'm still learning my way around this LJ thing. I'll definitely investigate heavymeta and go back through tagging my stuff! (Readership is love ...)

[yourlibrarian]

In real life, we don’t get to see the formative events that made people what they became before we met them, and most times, we don’t recognize the character-building significance even of events that we share.

That's a great observation. Although I'd add that the other thing that real life has that fiction doesn't is constancy. The problem with characters that are abrasive in some way is that in the day to day that effect can become cumulative. We just don't live with characters the way we do with people because fiction doesn't concentrate on mundanities, but rather tends to give us the big moments. (Luckily fanfic often makes up for this by giving more of those small, repetitive moments). For example we've yet to see the boys shave, brush their teeth, or do laundry -- and living their lives they also don't do dishes, clean (or not) or pay bills.

[bardicvoice]

Tee-hee - we wouldn't be nearly so glued to our television sets if shows aired all the boring moments! (Although I daresay most fangirls would be content to watch the boys sitting still and reading scripts ...)

[ehlwyen]

Very lovely sentiment and I found the gradual realization quite inviting as a reader. I'm a person with a lot of similarities with Dean, so it was intriguing to see him through your eyes. As well as it made me reflect on how others may perceive me. :D

[bardicvoice]

Thanks for coming by and commenting! Interaction is love ...

I've often wished that I could reliably learn real people the way that I can learn characters. I do my best, but I can't read people perfectly. Some are transparent, but others? Just imagine trying to read through Dean's fully up walls. I'm big into harmony and never want to injure anyone, but at the same time, I'm quick with a quip and know my words might be taken the wrong way.

Life would definitely be easier if people came with descriptive manuals or with the novel version of their past available for perusal!

[galathea_snb]

This is a lovely meta and mirrors my own sentiment 100%. While I identify most with Sam, because we are very alike, I am fiercly in love with Dean, because of his caring character traits. In the beginning of the series I was drawn to Sam more, but as soon as we saw the layers peeled back on Dean, there was no stopping my falling for him. I know for sure that I wouldn't give Dean a chance if I met him in some bar, no matter how physically attractive I find him

[bardicvoice]

Thank you, galathea!

Funny: eight years ago, my sister bought a Harley with a sidecar, and she, our Mom, and I started taking our vacations together on the bike. Suddenly I was living in a world totally alien to me, a world of boots and biker leathers, populated by lots of tattooed, rough-hewn guys. And what I learned was that bikers can be among the friendliest, nicest people on the planet. Talk about learning not to judge books by their covers!

[galathea_snb]

You're Welcome!

I spent most of my day reading your metas and episode reviews and I loved all of them and was delighted that I found most of my own thoughts about the show/characters mirrored here, so I friended you to not miss any of your metas/reviews. I hope that is okay!

[bardicvoice]

Thank you! I am honored, and hope that I never disappoint!