I don't get it

-or- perhaps I am missing something?

Published on March 9, 2006 By BlueDev In Misc

There are all things we like, and other people just don't get it. That is fine, we don't all need to like the same things, as that would make life terribly boring. But you know, there are just some things I don't get either. I don't need to get them, but I don't understand why so many people do. Here are a few.

Anime: What is the deal with Anime? So many of my classmates are huge fans. They download like crazy, have DVDs, etc. I have seen bumper stickers that state: "Anime: Crack is cheaper". Weird. The dialog is generally horrible (at best), the stories are bizarre mixes with some attempts at humor, some attempts at being serious, with never really scoring with either. I just scratch my head.

Rap Music: And I use the term music loosely. Now, not all of it is crap in my opinion. There is the occasional song I like (a few Beastie Boys tunes, maybe a Run DMC track or two), but for the most part it is incomprehensible dross. No music and lyrical content that tackles such heavy topics as how much bling and sex they can have, and just who they are going to shoot next. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Grand Theft Auto: What is the deal with these games? Why are they so popular? I get the free form nature, blah, blah, blah. I tried Vice City. Boring. Run around, smack people with a baseball bat, run them over. It just didn't appeal to me, and it boggles my mind that it appeals to so many.

The Beatles/Rolling Stones: They were influential, groundbreaking, yadda yadda. To those who were "there" when these bands were breaking ground, I suppose I can see the draw. But come on, they are now just so stagnant. It has been decades since the Stones wrote something interesting, and Paul McCartney continues to amaze me with his (in my opinion) mediocre song writing. Meh. While we are at it I might as well just let those who will flame me have a hey-day: Nirvana. Blech. Kurt Cobain, tragic ending but the world of music isn't missing anything.

Ultra Aggressive Drivers: I understand you are in a hurry. I understand you don't think 70 mph is fast enough. I understand you want to ride someone who is going 65 until they move out of your way or you can swerve around them. I understand you feel inadequate about your penis size. But being a jerk on the road just ain't going to make it bigger. Oh, and that stop light? Well, let's just say it stopped us both now, didn't it? Idiots.

Sad Movies: My wife wishes I got this one. I get mocked incessantly about it. But I just don't understand the idea behind paying good money to willingly make yourself sad. I don't like feeling sad and the last thing I need is a "good cry". Yes, I am emotionally constipated, but I don't want to willingly pay for an emotional enema.

Smoking: I'm not dissing those who choose to smoke, but I will never get it. The attraction of willfully inhaling carcinogenic, toxic nasty smelling fumes into my lungs just leaves me going "Huh?" I get enough junk into my body against my will. I'll pass on adding to that.

Astrology: Oh, look the moon is in the fourth phase of Jupiter's apical mainstem impulsory orbit. It must be time for me to take a dump. Uh huh.

So, now that I have managed to offend everyone in some small way, what don't you get?

Comments (Page 2)

BlueDev

on Mar 10, 2006

but everybody has their own opinion on it i guess im a kid in a grown mans body:D

Actually, I am sure there are some cool stories in Anime. Just so much of it seems, well, weird to me. I must be showing my age.

That and it is kickass social commentary(the in-game radio ads in particular).

I do recall being highly entertained by the radio.

Why you young whipper snapper! I am going to take may walker and beat you with it for dissing the Beatles!

You keep that walker away from me old man! As for the Beatles, I agree that they did break some new ground, back in the day. But, like Tova mentioned, I find it ridiculous when people today assert you are some sort of boorish fool if you don't worship at the feet of Beatledom. They can bite me.

I don't get the appeal of H2s (the SUV). They are ugly IMO, hard to park, gas guzzlers and who needs something like that in the burbs? People seem to think other people are impressed and maybe they are. Maybe it's just me who doesn't get them.

Hah. Actually, I think Hummers are freaking cool. BUT, I don't get them in the suburban setting either. Seriously people, are you going to go to war in the parking lot of Kroger? That SUV is sure going to make the difference, ain't it? I mean, come on. I agree with you, silly, silly, silly.

Tova: I have had a similar number of arguments along those very same lines. The other group I have gotten into arguments over is Simon and Garfunkel. At my high school, if you didn't think they were the best, you obviously weren't cool. Good thing I knew from the start I wasn't cool, eh?

Tova7

on Mar 10, 2006

At my high school, if you didn't think they were the best, you obviously weren't cool

Buwhahahhahaha.

No ONE would EVER admit listening to S&G when I was in hs. Heck, no one I know would now!

Who are they again?

~smirks~

J-Mac

on Mar 11, 2006

Anime - I agree. Just don't get it either.

Rap Music - Again, agreed. I do like some hip-hop: if it has at least a little music and vocals to it. Not much of it does, though.

Grand Theft Auto - Don't get it at all.

The Beatles/Rolling Stones - I think this is a nostalgia thing. Take note of what you consider "oldies but goodies" 20 or 30 years from now. You'll be surprised what stagnant, old farts you like to listen to then!

Ultra Aggressive Drivers - Making up for other inadequacies? Probably. I am waiting for the day when there's one of those 50 or 100 car pile-ups; and they're all ultra-aggressive drivers!!

Sad Movies - I pretty much agree, but I still can't watch the old Disney classic "Old Yeller" in front of anyone else!

Smoking - I am a smoker, and I don't understand it either. Then again, I am not a drinker, and I cannot understand how anyone can drink Scotch without scrunching up their face like they just ate a piece of... well...you get the idea.

Astrology - I think that these are the same folks who do understand Anime!

Great column, BlueDev!

BlueDev

on Mar 11, 2006

Thanks J-Mac! I appreciate you stopping by.

Vecctor

on Mar 12, 2006

Oh, and that stop light? Well, let's just say it stopped us both now, didn't it?

Unless of course that 5 seconds they bought got them through a yellow where you got stopped by the red, and then that happens again, and again, and before you know it they got past every light you got stopped at.

I've been in this situation numerous times, and sure, there are times when I will blow past a slow poke only to have them pull right up behind me when I hit a red. But there are plenty of other times when I blow past them and never see them again, because they got stopped behind me at a light I made it past. Or, I would have made it past a yellow if I could have just gotten in front of them. I hate driving, my time is valuable, and I don't intend to spend it on the road. So I am always in a hurry to get wherever I am going.

I do get mad at slow drivers, because they will sit in the right lane going the same speed as the guy in the left lane so that noone can get by going faster. It's simple, if you aren't going faster, than stay to the left. It works pretty well in Europe.

Totally agree on the rest of the points though.

uDigItTheMost

on Mar 12, 2006

Good article.

Anime - I never been a fan of it. Though I do like animated films and TV shows. I love the Simpsons and The Family Guy. I don't get people who say they never watch them 'cause cartoons are for children. I rather watch cartoons than Fear Factor.

Rap Music - I'm somewhat of a fan but I'm not here to defend it. We all like what we like. I don't like it all, but there are rap artists who are more than rapping about bling and sex. Given a choice of listening to those rappers and Top 40 radio I would chose rap everytime. BTW .. not all rappers are into treating women badly. There are some out there who treat them better than Yanni.

Grand Theft Auto - Never got into it. It never interest me. In fact I have never played a PC game. Not because they all don't interest me but because I never have had my own PC. For years I had a web TV.

The Beatles / Rolling Stones - I like both groups. But I like all their old stuff. Saying that though I still think the Stones or McCartney should make all the music they want. I wouldn't buy it, but there shouldn't be an age limit. I would still go see Buddy Guy or B.B. King, and I loved Johnny Cash's music up till his death.

Ultra Aggressive Drivers - I hate them. But of course I don't get slow drivers who refuse to go at least within somewhat of the speed limit. It's like their world everywhere is a school zone.

Sad Movies - I don't get them, either. But I will watch one at home with my GF. I will not see one at a theatre though. A friend asked me when was the last time I cried at the movies. I told them the last time I went to a Adam Sandler movie. I cried that I wasted 8 dollars.

Smoking - I have never gotten it. I have never smoked a cigarette. I can not stand the smell. I know this is going to sound weird and may get me in trouble with some women in here but ... A woman smoking while driving a car is one of the most unattractive things to me.

Astrology - I don't get it. But perhaps maybe I should. My horoscope today said I would leave someone a long reply. Sorry, Blue Dev.

bakerstreet

on Mar 12, 2006

Anime:
My opinion is that people who say they love it in general are either being broad with their praise, have only seen good stuff, or are posers. I *love* some anime. I mean I think some of it is on par with anything I have ever seen in any other genre. Most of it, though, is mass-produced crap, turned out carelessly to make a buck, no different than US entertainment. Nothing breeds low quality art than people who buy it just because of its genre.
Rap Music:
The exact same as Anime. There's some really good stuff, but most of it is just drek churned out for people who buy the style or the name of the artist.
Grand Theft Auto
Never played it. I have freinds whose taste I trust who were addicted to it, though, so I don't think it can be all that bad. I play games with my little girl, and as a rule I don't buy anything we can't play together. Doom I can see, slapping prostitutes around is a bit beyond the pale.
The Beatles / Rolling Stones:
"Jumped the Shark" is the right term, I think. After a while you run out of things to say, and you just hang out for the "brand's" sake. The Rolling Stones are a corporate entity, not a band.
Ultra Aggressive Drivers:
Usually either a very tiny penis or working under a fascist boss that you can't get back at. On the way home they abuse old ladies to make themselves feel better. Better than beating their kids, I guess. Oddly, no one that does that to me does it for long. I must have "that certain something" that makes them decide not to pull over.
Sad Movies:
Depends on what you call sad. Tragedy can be great. Stories like "Shadowlands" or the Merchant Ivory movies can rip your heart out but still be worth it. If you are talking about some JLo love story or some Lifetime show about some abused woman that finds love only to die of breast cancer, yeah, they suck.
Smoking:
No one understands an addiction unless they have it. *I* don't even understand why I do what I do. I hate the damn things while I smoke them.

Astrology:
Who knows. My grandmother didn't believe it, but read her horoscope every day. I don't believe in portents or predictions but I never fail to read my fortune cookie. Hope springs eternal, I guess.

DJBandit

on Mar 13, 2006

Anime: I like some anime. It's something diferent from the same boring movies and children cartoons. But some are just too confusing or exagerated to just way too sexual. I like sex as much as the next man, maybbe more, but some of these animes are just to exagerated in the ways they do them.

Rap Music: I admit every now and then there is a song I like, what I can't stand is songs that talk about how bad they had it, how many chicks they can get, how much money is so important to them and then there's those who I don't even know what the F___ they are saying. Either way, I have never cosidered a rapper a singer. After what I have seen in the rap world in the past 10 years, at least, almost anyone can be a rapper and that is sad. And American Idol version for rappers would have to give a $1 million contract to maybe 75% of those who compete.

Grand Theft Auto: I got hooked on both Vice City and San Andreas. Why? Simple, the best stress reliever ever. Nothing like doing your best to outrun all the polices a game can through at you. and killing as many people as posible just because you can. It's just entertainment, nothing more. Nothing about wanting to kill someone in real life.

The Beatles/Rolling Stones: I love the Beatles, and I'm only 30 years old. I don't really know much about them, just like their music. I have never been a fan of the Rolling Stones, but I know they make good music. It's like when there's that one flavor cake you like so much and everytime you go to the bakery you just can't by anything else other than that cake.

Ultra Aggressive Drivers: I have to admit to being a bit aggressive when driving, I just like speed. But I am very careful and I don't make people get out of the way, I just try to get around them, the legal way of course. Strange, but I feel I have more control when I'm going faster, I can't stand being between a group of cars on a highway for fear that one car breaks and everyone else crashes so I do my best to be all by myself on the road and that sometimes requires me to speed up.

Sad Movies: I'm a bit TV and movie person so I will watch just about anything. I cry with sad movies, a LOL with comedy, I nearly fall off the edge of my seat with action and drama, and I get jumpy once in a while with a really good horro movie like for example Amityville Horror.

Smoking: The only smoke I like is that which has to do with food. BBQ, kitchen, what ever. Beyond that, I have to agree I don't see the point in smoking at all.

Astrology: I am not a devoted fan, but do read it from time to time and it's just kinda scary when it tends to describe part of your day as if they knew what was gonna happen. But then I think it's just one of the coincidence things where you can say something that can apply to just about everyone, like saying tomorow your gonna get wet and it could rain, you can take a bath, or you might need to watsh your car.

citahellion

on Mar 14, 2006

Anime:
As with any other genre, there is HUGE variety in the quality. I love just about anything done by Hayao Miyazaki(Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa, Castle in the Sky, Spirited Away, etc.). Other stuff is relatively mindless fun (DragonBall Z). And 90% of everything is crap.

Rap Music:
It's all about how bad, how hot, or how rich you are. It's music for people with no self-esteem to pose about what they want to be.

Grand Theft Auto:
Haven't tried it yet.

The Beatles/Rolling Stones:
The Beatles are great; the Rolling Stones are crap. (Seriously, for some reason I can't stand the raw, obnoxious sound of the Stones.) The important thing is, since they were groundbreaking bands, listen to them to understand what was going on, how the ground was being broken, how they were moving into new territory. Then if you don't care for the sound, stop listening.

Aggressive Drivers:
Young and foolish, most likely. Or set in their bad habits.

Sad Movies:
If there's an important message behind it, I suppose it's okay. Otherwise, blech.

Smoking:
Most people start before they bother to think through the consequences.

Astrology:
It's for people with no self-esteem to believe that they're not to blame for what happens to them.

bakerstreet

on Mar 14, 2006

Re: smoking, I just ran across this quote:

"Pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment of human affairs." -Albert Einstein

So there:

BlueDev

on Mar 15, 2006

So there:

Thanks to all the replies. Too many great comments to respond to each and every one. Here are just a few of my continued thoughts.

Anime: I think I just have a mental disconnect with most of it. I have even seem some of the "great" ones mentioned here, and while I appreciated the artwork, for the most part the stories left me scratching my head. Must be too dumb.

Aggressive Drivers: I like to drive fast, don't get me wrong. But I won't tailgate until I can swerve around the person in front of me. Argh, that just pisses me off. If someone is riding my tail I have no problem going 10 mph BELOW the speed limit until they get it and back off.

EternalEternity²

on Mar 15, 2006

I unfortunately am an agressive drive on expressways/highways. I've haven't received a speeding ticket since I first got my driver's license (which is a while back). I don't get upset at people who drive the speed limit because I understand its the speed limit. I also understand some vehicles can't properly handle driving at faster speeds (I've had a few). I don't really have any road rage..Except when I see someone driving a car like a Corvette in the outside lane doing less than or barely the speed limit. I've learned my routes pretty well, and have seen what to expect of other drivers in certain areas, what areas tend to have more accidents, and even the timings of signal lights. I know in certain areas with knowledge of the basic timings of the signal lights (excluding sensor/pedestrian influences) I can speed through and save several minutes in the process...which is useful for someone who is just barely always on time to work.

I've read articles which have said people who weave through traffic don't really make as much progress as they think they do. When I drive, and I want to get past an area as fast as possible, I pick out a couple distinguishable vehicles as reference points. If I can't readily surpass them and maintain my distance from them I'll slow down to the flow of the traffic, but otherwise I'll know I made a lot more progress in terms of distance than the other vehicles.

In the end, I actually enjoy driving, it ends up being fun, even after several years of taking the same routes... (coz I pick routes that are fun for me that have a lot of curves, and not necessarily the shortest)

dandrayan

on Apr 29, 2006

Anime is actually not too different from the US film industry--there are many different genres (fantasy, comedy, sci-fi, drama, etc.) and the quality can vary from horrible to outstanding--but I believe the biggest difference stems from the fact that it comes from a much different culture than ours. What's taboo here may not be there. There are different attitudes, customs, and beliefs shown that are unfamiliar to many Americans. Despite these differences, there are still many of the same basic archetypes persistent in anime as you would find in western culture, just interpreted and displayed in different forms. I personally love anime, but I also respect that others have different tastes and may not like it as much as I do, so no offense taken.

I got a good chuckle out of the phallic reference towards those inconsiderate drivers we all have to put up with every day on the road, and also the previous comment about the Hummers and H2s. I've considered carrying a box of rulers in my trunk so that I can stick them on the windshields of those drivers, but I think the message would be lost and go way over the heads of many of them (not to mention I'd probably look like an insane stalker following them until they parked).

And what about rap music and The Beatles? Meh. It's crap if you ask me, but that's the opinion that I'm entitled to. Personally, I feel that most rap music is just making our society more mindless and violent. It's flooding the shelves with countless albums created by people that don't sing about anything really important (if you can even consider it singing), but rather focus on the most scantily-clad women and the biggest/deepest bass thumps possible to cover their lack of talent. Sadly, I have not met many fans of rap music that still have any form of higher intelligence left after being brainwashed and dumbed-down by this pathetic excuse for "music." Yeah, I really hate rap. Probably even more than I hate The Beatles.

Putting all feelings aside, these are simply our own opinions. These likes and dislikes are what make us all unique and different. If we were all alike, the world would probably be a boring place to live. Thanks for sharing your opinions!

Moderateman

on Apr 29, 2006

15 by Tova7
Friday, March 10, 2006

have NEVER EVER like the Beatles. I thought their stuff sounded old when I was a kid!
Blech.
Can't tell you how many arguments I had in college with people who believed a person to be low brow if they thought the Beatles weren't good.
Blech.

BLASPHEMEY!!!!! HERASY!!!!

BlueDev

on Apr 29, 2006

Dan: I appreciate the input on Anime. One of these days I am going to get some recommendations, rent them, and just sit down and watch the shows. I remember loving Robotech (the Americanized version) back in the day, so perhaps I could get into it. And I have to agree with you on the Rap comment. It is just junk in my not so humble opinion. Blech.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!