Enjoying “Bad” Art
Have you ever heard someone disparage something you like? It’s like a punch to the gut. In some ways it’s worse than if they just dissed you, especially if they phrase it in a way like “anyone who likes that must be stupid or shallow.”
I like the Big Bang Theory. I have read a lot of stuff online from people who call it an objectively “bad” show with bad writing and acting. On the other hand, there’s Wil Wheaton, one of my favourite writers and actors:
I like the Star Wars prequels, Batman v Superman, The Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions, Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End, The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Avatar, Batman And Robin, and other movies that are vocally hated online. I could write a whole article explaining why I like each of them, but why should I? Why can’t we just like what we like without it being a comment on our intelligence?
Some things are just fun. Some are brain candy. I eat McDonald's sometimes, and I won’t be shamed for that either. You can’t eat plain oatmeal and kale 3 times a day and expect to enjoy your life.
Maybe there are things that are objectively “bad”, but I’m not going to tell you that you can’t like them anyway. What we like is completely subjective.