I don't understand " I can't relate to this"

[Todd's crazy , Man.]

Honestly , I can't. I'm a huge Star Trek and guess what? There's no way I can relate to the show. Hell , In the Original Show the second lead was an Alien from Vulcan and in TNG two of the main characters were aliens (Worf , Counselor Troi)) and another was an Android (Data).

Plus , Can people really relate to say Breaking Bad? Does that show have a huge fanbase among Meth Cooks and Drug Dealers or what? What about Band Of Brothers? That show has/had a huge fanbase , Am I to believe that most of the people who watched it actually served in World War two?


If not how you can possible relate to solider's in one of the bloodiest wars in history?
It just seems that "I can't relate to this show" is a cop out.

[HMARK Center]

It depends on the type of show, and depends on what it is the show's emphasizing we should relate to.

Band of Brothers is set in World War II, yes, but the "relatable" aspects include how most of them are just normal, everyday guys, and how they come together in the midst of such great violence and danger. No, most people can't relate to living that experience and seeing actual danger on that level, but people CAN relate to and enjoy seeing the characters grow closer together as the face more hardships.

I agree that sometimes it can be a copout: some people just don't like seeing things from other people's perspectives, perspectives which may run counter to or challenge their own.

However, when people say "I can't relate" it's very rarely about what you're describing; sure, Star Trek has alien characters who are trained starship fleet members, and none of us can relate to those things, but they can be put into relatable situations and cultivate relationships we can...well...relate to.

[Blindkarevik]

Basically, it's about if a character is reacting to a situation in a similar way that you would. In Breaking Bad, there's a lot of, "If I had cancer, no money to leave my family, and extensive knowledge of chemistry, I'd totally start cooking meth!" 99.9% chance it wouldn't happen even if it came to that reality, but that's the point of the show... it's escapism.

Band Of Brothers portrayed the characters as, initially, fearful and in-over-their-heads when thrust into war and eventually grew hardened for better or for worse. I don't think anyone can really relate to Spiers in it, as he's an unapologetic badass throughout the whole thing. But, there was enough personalities to go around in the rest of Easy Company to be able to pick someone who might be relatable to you.

I think it is a poor choice of words, and I definitely get your meaning. But I think it's just one of those cases where it's a phrase that can't be taken literally, more it's about the escapism of, "If I were in this situation, this is how I'd either react, or would hope I'd react."

[Deleted]

Aug 13, 2012 19:33:01 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

It depends on the type of show, and depends on what it is the show's emphasizing we should relate to.

Band of Brothers is set in World War II, yes, but the "relatable" aspects include how most of them are just normal, everyday guys, and how they come together in the midst of such great violence and danger. No, most people can't relate to living that experience and seeing actual danger on that level, but people CAN relate to and enjoy seeing the characters grow closer together as the face more hardships.

I agree that sometimes it can be a copout: some people just don't like seeing things from other people's perspectives, perspectives which may run counter to or challenge their own.

However, when people say "I can't relate" it's very rarely about what you're describing; sure, Star Trek has alien characters who are trained starship fleet members, and none of us can relate to those things, but they can be put into relatable situations and cultivate relationships we can...well...relate to.

I think you summed it up really well.

[King Ghidorah]

Aug 13, 2012 18:55:12 GMT -5 Todd's crazy , Man. said:

It just seems that "I can't relate to this show" is a cop out.

A cop out for what exactly?

[Mattification]

People do relate to Star Trek characters though. You don't need to be in the exact same situation to relate to a TV character. if that was the case, no-one would relate to anyone as there will always be differences.

Data is an android. Very few people watching the show will be androids. However he's also an outsider trying to fit in. He's trying to be normal when he should be celebrating the fact that he isn't. That's what people can and do relate to.

[CaptainFall]

Aug 14, 2012 13:14:37 GMT -5 Mattification said:

Data is an android. Very few people watching the show will be androids. However he's also an outsider trying to fit in. He's trying to be normal when he should be celebrating the fact that he isn't. That's what people can and do relate to.

Exactly, relating to something isn't about looking like the character but being able to understand their motives and why they behave like they do.

It's a legitimate criticism. When I watch a film or TV show I want to get something out of it, even if it's pure escapism there has to be something I can relate to to enjoy it.

[Apricots And A Pear Tree]

You know what sucks? Saying "I can relate to this" while watching a movie about serial killers.