Meta rec and Very Scientific Poll

[ash48]

bardicvoice has written some great meta on why we see Sam and Dean differently: The Rainbow Connection, or Can You See What I See?

I like the ideas presented - it all makes perfect sense to me. It should help people realise that it's OK to see the show differently and arguing about it (read "being nasty") isn't going to achieve much. I think discussing is valuable because I think sharing the differing views can be interesting. Though, as bardicvoice's put it - "You're going to believe what you believe no matter what I say, unless I happen upon an explanation that fits your emotional reality and both allows and persuades you to change your point of view. Trust me, those occasions are few and far between".

She also refers to an article written about why we connect to fictional characters in such a passionate way. This is fascinating also.

If you enjoy this type of analysis I highly recommend it.

She can't answer what it is in each of our personalities that makes us respond the way we do, unfortunately. I imagine such a study would be extraordinarily difficult.

However...I did wonder if we might be able to do a highly (un)scientific survey to see if there's anything we can pin down that make us either a Sam!person or a Dean!person or a both bro!person.



I think of myself as a Sam!girl (who adores Dean <333). I often wonder what draws me to Sam and I think I can simply put it down to:

1) He's the younger brother
2) He has long hair
3) I find Jared ridiculously attractive

(I find Jensen ridiculously attractive too. I love Dean and there's no way I would adore Sam the way I do without Dean being there).

In most TV/film partnerships I've always favored the younger of a pair - Luke over Han, AJ over Rick (Simon and Simon), Stephen over Mike (in the Tomorrow People). I have no idea why that is. I've sometimes wondered if it has anything to do with my position in my family. I am the eldest.

Which makes me wonder if the way we favour either Sam or Dean has anything to do with whether or not we have younger or older siblings? (I think not, but it might be fun to see if there is any trend).


[Poll #1918144]


It's just for fun (and I'm curious...). In all honesty I imagine there are a number of factors dictating not only the way we sympathise with a particular character but also how we interpret story lines and "see" the show. I don't know how you'd ever find out what makes one person see it one way and other a different way. It would be quite a study I should imagine.

Comments

[growyourwings.livejournal.com]

Dean person here. Eldest child (2 younger brothers). Grew up a tomboy (not sure that's even relevant, but whatever.)

I'm like you in that I love Dean almost because of Sam. I doubt I'd care as much about Dean if Sam wasn't there. And I love Sam as well. In fiction I've always gravitated to the Han Solo-type characters. Wise-asses, bad boys (who aren't really bad, just pretend to be) with hearts of gold, I guess.

Loyalty is a core value of mine. So Dean is pretty much tailor made to hit me in my core. I see loyalty has a huge thing for Dean. When someone betrays his loyalty it effects him deeply.

Plus it doesn't hurt that he is just a tad good looking (as is Sam.)

And I know this really shouldn't matter, it's fiction after all, but my enjoyment and investment in stories and characters can be influenced by the people creating/portraying said stories/characters. If I happen to find out someone is a douchebag in RL, I find that I can no longer enjoy a story or character even though previously I really liked them. Happened for me with Grey's Anatomy, which is a show I normally wouldn't watch, but my daughter got me hooked. Until one day I happened to read about some crap about conflict between two of the actors (one of whom was a douchebag) and all of a sudden I couldn't watch anymore. Ridiculous, but there you are. I mention all this because I think the fact that the folks behind SPN being generally awesome/genuine may be what tipped my enjoyment of this show into obsession.

And in that vein, the fact that Jared and Jensen are people I really admire & respect in RL, makes my enjoyment of both of the characters extra deep.

[badbastion.livejournal.com]

What I find really interesting is that so far the majority of people, no matter which brother they prefer, are older siblings. I wonder if that says something about Supernatural itself, or maybe it says something about your followers? So weird!

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe Kripke's formula has a connection straight to our id?

[ash48.livejournal.com]

This is really interesting to me. The trend is continuing.... Hmmm..my flist? LJers? Or generally people who watch SPN...?

I might see if I can get some peeps from Tumblr to answer...

[growyourwings.livejournal.com]

I would be interested on a report back from Tumblr-ville, if you get more responses regarding this. I think it is interesting that (in these responses) we are elder children.

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

"I think the fact that the folks behind SPN being generally awesome/genuine may be what tipped my enjoyment of this show into obsession."

In complete agreement! If the Js were jerks I wouldn't still be watching!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hi Dean person! ;))

I mention all this because I think the fact that the folks behind SPN being generally awesome/genuine may be what tipped my enjoyment of this show into obsession.

Yeah. I am pretty damn sure if the boys were douches or if they weren't as wonderfully accessible as they are I wouldn't be as nearly as obsessed either. The J2 love keeps me going as much as the SnD love. I think the fact that they ARE awesome translates to the screen. I used to think that about Starsky and Hutch. You can't fake that kind of chemistry. I had a sense that Jensen and Ty get on well in RL also.

xoxo