There's too many comments to read them all, so I apologise in advance for repetition.
There's the validation effect, that says that the more often someone is exposed to something, the more likely they are to respond positively. It's something that advertising and politicians use a lot (and darned depressing).
The whole tween industry relies on malleability of young minds. Someone who's already vehemently opposed to the unhealthy relationship that's at the heart of Twilight probably won't even finish the first book. On the other hand, afaik (I also haven't and won't read it) it plays to the Disney-style fairy tale of Grand Romance™ that trumps everything, even common sense and individuality. It's a horribly unhealthy relationship, but so are most relationships in mainstream media. Stalking and romantic behaviour are frightfully similar, after all. (Which is something I think Criminal Minds is playing with lately [sorry to tangent].)
The thing that disturbs me more than the kids reading and loving it is the adults, the mothers with children eating it up like candy. It's bad candy, but they want the sugar fix, the fantasy, the escape. It rots the brain, and they should know better. Instead, they happily gobble it up as fast as they can.
As for the difference between Twilight and HP (disclaimer: haven't read one, read the other grudgingly), I think it might have to do with that fix. HP wasn't great and had some deep flaws. I found it very wanting. However, it was at least more satisfying, and to a larger demographic, than Twilight. HP at least involved some empowerment, and some of the characters worked at that. Twilight is about being rescued. HP was partly about coming together to form a team (more or less).
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-09-27 03:26 pm (UTC)There's the validation effect, that says that the more often someone is exposed to something, the more likely they are to respond positively. It's something that advertising and politicians use a lot (and darned depressing).
The whole tween industry relies on malleability of young minds. Someone who's already vehemently opposed to the unhealthy relationship that's at the heart of Twilight probably won't even finish the first book. On the other hand, afaik (I also haven't and won't read it) it plays to the Disney-style fairy tale of Grand Romance™ that trumps everything, even common sense and individuality. It's a horribly unhealthy relationship, but so are most relationships in mainstream media. Stalking and romantic behaviour are frightfully similar, after all. (Which is something I think Criminal Minds is playing with lately [sorry to tangent].)
The thing that disturbs me more than the kids reading and loving it is the adults, the mothers with children eating it up like candy. It's bad candy, but they want the sugar fix, the fantasy, the escape. It rots the brain, and they should know better. Instead, they happily gobble it up as fast as they can.
As for the difference between Twilight and HP (disclaimer: haven't read one, read the other grudgingly), I think it might have to do with that fix. HP wasn't great and had some deep flaws. I found it very wanting. However, it was at least more satisfying, and to a larger demographic, than Twilight. HP at least involved some empowerment, and some of the characters worked at that. Twilight is about being rescued. HP was partly about coming together to form a team (more or less).