By Rachel Menkhus
Why and how do we decide we no longer like or support something? I have been thinking about this question a lot lately. This inquiry comes to mind when thinking about America’s current political climate and it makes me wonder what makes us, as a people, change our mind about something that used to be important to us. Is it age? Education? Could it be that our interests have evolved or even devolved? Don’t worry,—I won’t be discussing politics in this post. Rather I will use an example I am familiar with: DC versus Marvel. The age-old question. If you asked most, I assume they would immediately respond with, “Marvel, you idiot. Have you seen a DC movie recently?” Though for me, I used to be impartial and absolutely support both comic publishers. No, I will not be looking at DC versus Marvel’s cinematic universe. More, I will use the example of DC Comics versus Marvel Comics.
When I was a child I adored Superman. Superman is where many decide they have a love for comics; I know I’m not the only one to have my obsession start with Clark Kent and his love for all things Planet Earth. Now, I certainly have not outgrown my love for Superman, but I have outgrown my love for heroes that I came to cherish afterward. So, alongside many, I decided comics were my destiny. I wanted to know everything there was to know about the industry, its publishers, artists, writers, and characters.
My love for Marvel Comics came fast. I mean, who doesn’t love Captain America, Black Panther, Iceman, America Chavez, Ms. Marvel? Seriously, these are all great characters. But while my love for the publisher began strong, it started to wane when the movies came out. Now here is where I refer to my original question. Why and how do we decide we no longer like—love in my case—or support something?
In this instance it was not anything Marvel did (though they have had some hiccups recently), rather my love for Marvel waned when I talked to people about the thing I loved. Most people agreed that Marvel was great—“Did you see that last MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) movie? Gosh. No one can compete.” But, when I brought up any of the other publishers that also created comic content, people rolled their eyes. “Yeah, well, DC kinda just sucks. They’re too dark, not funny. Not really superhero movies. Ya know?” The thing is. Whether you like Marvel or DC, sometimes... I wasn’t talking about the movies. So, the conversation, a conversation about the thing I am studying, do for a hobby, and want to spend the rest of my life working with, was no longer fun. It became Marvel versus everyone else. Disney versus Warner Brothers.
When I ask why we start to dislike something today, negativity also becomes a factor. When you no longer find joy in talking with others about something ingrained in your personality and life, it wears on you. Life isn’t all fun, I know. But when talking about things like this... Why do we all find it so easy to bash people’s interests in the name of rectifying or praising another’s? It really makes you wonder about why you may have started to lose interest in that thing you once loved.
Edited by London Koffler
Why and how do we decide we no longer like or support something? I have been thinking about this question a lot lately. This inquiry comes to mind when thinking about America’s current political climate and it makes me wonder what makes us, as a people, change our mind about something that used to be important to us. Is it age? Education? Could it be that our interests have evolved or even devolved? Don’t worry,—I won’t be discussing politics in this post. Rather I will use an example I am familiar with: DC versus Marvel. The age-old question. If you asked most, I assume they would immediately respond with, “Marvel, you idiot. Have you seen a DC movie recently?” Though for me, I used to be impartial and absolutely support both comic publishers. No, I will not be looking at DC versus Marvel’s cinematic universe. More, I will use the example of DC Comics versus Marvel Comics.
When I was a child I adored Superman. Superman is where many decide they have a love for comics; I know I’m not the only one to have my obsession start with Clark Kent and his love for all things Planet Earth. Now, I certainly have not outgrown my love for Superman, but I have outgrown my love for heroes that I came to cherish afterward. So, alongside many, I decided comics were my destiny. I wanted to know everything there was to know about the industry, its publishers, artists, writers, and characters.
My love for Marvel Comics came fast. I mean, who doesn’t love Captain America, Black Panther, Iceman, America Chavez, Ms. Marvel? Seriously, these are all great characters. But while my love for the publisher began strong, it started to wane when the movies came out. Now here is where I refer to my original question. Why and how do we decide we no longer like—love in my case—or support something?
In this instance it was not anything Marvel did (though they have had some hiccups recently), rather my love for Marvel waned when I talked to people about the thing I loved. Most people agreed that Marvel was great—“Did you see that last MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) movie? Gosh. No one can compete.” But, when I brought up any of the other publishers that also created comic content, people rolled their eyes. “Yeah, well, DC kinda just sucks. They’re too dark, not funny. Not really superhero movies. Ya know?” The thing is. Whether you like Marvel or DC, sometimes... I wasn’t talking about the movies. So, the conversation, a conversation about the thing I am studying, do for a hobby, and want to spend the rest of my life working with, was no longer fun. It became Marvel versus everyone else. Disney versus Warner Brothers.
When I ask why we start to dislike something today, negativity also becomes a factor. When you no longer find joy in talking with others about something ingrained in your personality and life, it wears on you. Life isn’t all fun, I know. But when talking about things like this... Why do we all find it so easy to bash people’s interests in the name of rectifying or praising another’s? It really makes you wonder about why you may have started to lose interest in that thing you once loved.
Edited by London Koffler
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