History Main / AngstAversion

Angst aversion is likely the number two reason for ExecutiveMeddling, behind the belief that ViewersAreMorons. People like [[MoneyDearBoy (and will pay for)]] [[HappilyEverBefore happy endings]], and executives know it- though, granted, [[TropesAreTools sometimes authors do need to be forced away]] from throwing in a CruelTwistEnding just because they had [[CreatorBreakdown a bad time lately]].

Compare and contrast SweetnessAversion, in which audiences are repelled by the extreme cuteness of a work. This should not be confused with TooBleakStoppedCaring, where a work is so dark and[=/=]or depressing that audiences who willingly gave it a chance eventually stopped caring about how it would end, though both can be caused by the same general issue. Also not to be confused with AngstWhatAngst which is when a character exhibits no or little angst in response to what should be a traumatic event.

Angst aversion is likely the number two reason for ExecutiveMeddling, behind the belief that ViewersAreMorons. People like [[MoneyDearBoy (and will pay for)]] [[HappilyEverBefore happy endings]], and executives know it.

Compare and contrast SweetnessAversion, in which audiences are repelled by the extreme cuteness of a work. This should not be confused with TooBleakStoppedCaring, though both can be caused by the same general issue. Also not to be confused with AngstWhatAngst which is when a character exhibits no or little angst in response to what should be a traumatic event.

This should not be confused with TooBleakStoppedCaring, though both can be caused by the same general issue. Also not to be confused with AngstWhatAngst which is when a character exhibits no or little angst in response to what should be a traumatic event.

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees that people have their own tastes in the media they consume, and have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be, you know, ''entertaining''. If someone prefers a SugarWiki/WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. Angst aversion, then, is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has a DownerEnding, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell [[ShaggyDogStory for nothing.]] This can easily happen when a normally lighthearted work is made DarkerAndEdgier -- even people who normally nave nothing against not-so-lighthearted fiction may lose interest if they had previously enjoyed the work for its lighter tone.

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees that people have their own tastes in the media they consume, and have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be, you know, ''entertaining''. If someone prefers a SugarWiki/WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. Angst aversion, then, is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has a DownerEnding, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell [[ShaggyDogStory for nothing.]]

This should not be confused with SoBleakItsBoring, though both can be caused by the same general issue. Also not to be confused with AngstWhatAngst which is when a character exhibits no or little angst in response to what should be a traumatic event.

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees that people have their own tastes in the media they consume, and have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be, you know, ''entertaining''. If someone prefers a SugarWiki/WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. Angst aversion, then, is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has a DownerEnding, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell [[ShoottheShaggyDog for nothing.]]

This should not be confused with DarknessInducedAudienceApathy, though both can be caused by the same general issue. Also not to be confused with AngstWhatAngst which is when a character exhibits no or little angst in response to what should be a traumatic event.

Art is often seen as a reflection of life, for good or for bad. Thus, it is not surprising that much of art contains elements that may be considered, well, downright depressing and full of Conflict that grabs the attention. Everyone agrees that artistic creators should have access to the wide range of human emotions in the characters and events depicted within their works, and no one blames them for attempting to inspire the same range within their audience. Indeed, one of the things most disquieting about Creator/{{Plato}}'s ''Literature/TheRepublic'' is how Creator/{{Socrates}} bans any emotional art from his supposed {{utopia}}. Without the influence of the tragic, we would not be able to experience some of the most critically-lauded works that have ever been created.

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees that people have their own tastes in the media they consume, and have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be, you know, ''entertaining''. If someone prefers a SugarWiki/WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. Angst aversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has DownerEnding, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell [[ShoottheShaggyDog for nothing.]]

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees that people have their own tastes in the media they consume, and have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be, you know, ''entertaining''. If someone prefers a SugarWiki/WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. Angst aversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has an unhappy ending, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell.

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees that people have their own tastes in the media they consume, and have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be ''entertaining''! If someone prefers a SugarWiki/WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. Angst aversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has an unhappy ending, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell.

This should not be confused with DarknessInducedAudienceApathy, though both can be caused by the same general issue. Also not to be confused with AngstWhatAngst which is when a character exhibits no or little angst in response to what should be a traumatic event

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees that people have their own tastes in the media they consume, and have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be ''entertaining''! If someone prefers a WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. Angst aversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has an unhappy ending, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell.

This should not be confused with DarknessInducedAudienceApathy, though both can be caused by the same general issue.

->''"Hey, let me tell you something. I just finished this show/movie/book, and it's'' '''''awesome!''''' ''You'll totally love it! It's so artistic! You'll fall in love with all the characters, and when you see what happens to them it will just break your heart! If the last part doesn't make you cry for weeks, then man, you have no soul!... Hey, where are you going?"''

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees (or perhaps ''should'' agree) that people are allowed to have their own tastes in the media they consume, and to have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be ''entertaining''! If someone prefers a WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. Angst aversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has an unhappy ending, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell.

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees (or perhaps ''should'' agree) that people are allowed to have their own tastes in the media they consume, and to have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be ''entertaining''! If someone prefers a WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few want a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. AngstAversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has an unhappy ending, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell.

AngstAversion is likely the number two reason for ExecutiveMeddling, behind the belief that ViewersAreMorons. People like [[MoneyDearBoy (and will pay for)]] [[HappilyEverBefore happy endings]], and executives know it.

However, art is also seen as {{Escapism}}, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees (or perhaps ''should'' agree) that people are allowed to have their own tastes in the media they consume, and to have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be ''entertaining''! If someone prefers a WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few wants a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. AngstAversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has an unhappy ending, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell.

However, art is also seen as escapism, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees (or perhaps ''should'' agree) that people are allowed to have their own tastes in the media they consume, and to have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be ''entertaining''! If someone prefers a WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few wants a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough. AngstAversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has an unhappy ending, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell.

AngstAversion is likely the number two reason for ExecutiveMeddling, behind the belief that ViewersAreMorons. People like (and will pay for) [[HappilyEverBefore happy endings]], and executives know it.

However, art is also seen as escapism, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees (or perhaps ''should'' agree) that people are allowed to have their own tastes in the media they consume, and to have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be ''entertaining''! If someone prefers a WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think" (or enjoys either one depending on their mood), then more power to them. Only a very few wants a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough.

AngstAversion then is the situation occurring when these two conceptions collide: The personal tendency for a person to avoid a work once they hear it has an unhappy ending, or is generally filled with sympathetic characters that will be put through hell.

Something of a YMMV item, as while the definition is consistent, where the line is drawn is a personal matter for each viewer:

Some are fine with every level of angst, to the extent of even seeking out that [[TearJerker which jerks the most multitudes of tears]].

Some are content with seeking out {{spoiler}}s beforehand, when it is thought probable that likable characters will have to deal with amazingly depressing situations, and the viewer wants to be ready when it happens. It helps that the depressing spoilers (concerning who dies etc.) are often the first to come out and are the most widespread: If you know anything about ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheHalfBloodPrince'' it's that "one character" kills "another character". Creator/JossWhedon may be the patron saint of inspiring this particular segment, so much so that it is responsible for almost 100% of the {{Hatedom}} directed towards him.

Some will avoid a work entirely when they hear particularly depressing spoilers, or even general claims that the work is a particularly big downer, no matter what the supposed quality. These people find it grating when FailureIsTheOnlyOption. There is nothing wrong about this, as everyone has the right to their own preferences, but it can often lead to ComplainingAboutShowsYouDontWatch on the one hand, and cause members of the FanDumb of a tragic work to lambaste the adverse as immature.

Viewers at the logical furthest end of the scale will shut themselves off from all art that has any chance of being depressing at all, to the particular extreme of refusing, at a certain point, to view anything they haven't seen before. This usually requires a mental disorder of some sort, but is no less an example.

Some call FanonDiscontinuity when they feel that their time has been wasted after a pointlessly tragic or improperly set-up ShootTheShaggyDog or DownerEnding that relies on CharacterDerailment, DiabolusExMachina, or a CruelTwistEnding to pull off. If the SnicketWarningLabel offers them a way out, they'll take it. This group will readily admit that art is free to be emotional, even depressing, [[TropesAreTools but only if it is done sufficiently well]]. After all, while realistic emotion can make a good work great, needless angst in uncontrolled quantity makes a mediocre work terrible: It's pretty much generally agreed that cheaply won tears are annoying, and all too often it's a [[DeathByNewberyMedal cute dog that needlessly suffers so the author can make a point]].

->''"Hey, Let me tell you something. I just finished this show/movie/book, and it's'' '''''awesome!''''' ''You'll totally love it! It's so artistic! You'll fall in love with all the characters, and when you see what happens to them it will just break your heart! If the last part doesn't make you cry for weeks, then man, you have no soul!... Hey, where are you going?"''

Art is often seen as a reflection of life, for good or for bad. Thus, it is not surprising that much of art contains elements that may be considered, well, downright depressing and full of Conflict that grabs the attention. Everyone agrees that artistic creators should have access to the wide range of human emotions in the characters and events depicted within their works, and no one blames them for attempting to inspire the same range within their audience. Indeed, one of the things most disquieting about Creator/{{Plato}}'s ''Literature/{{Republic}}'' is how Creator/{{Socrates}} bans any emotional art from his supposed {{utopia}}. Without the influence of the tragic, we would not be able to experience some of the most critically-lauded works that have ever been created.

However, art is also seen as escapism, and rightfully so. Everyone agrees (or perhaps ''should'' agree) that people are allowed to have their own tastes in the media they consume, and to have their own particular limits in [[AngstDissonance how much fictional sadness and "interesting" conflict they are willing to put up with]], simply because how everyone has their own real life problems to consider. It is not too much to ask for entertainment to be ''entertaining''! If someone prefers a WarmAndFuzzyFeeling over how the realism and catharsis of a tragedy or Current Events-based {{dystopia}}n literature allegedly gets you to "think", then more power to them. Only a very few wants a world where everyone believes that "SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids" and that the only TrueArtIsAngsty, and anyone who thinks happy art cannot be good art is certainly not understanding enough.

Art is often seen as a reflection of life, for good or for bad. Thus, it is not surprising that much of art contains elements that may be considered, well, downright depressing and full of Conflict that grabs the attention. Everyone agrees that artistic creators should have access to the wide range of human emotions in the characters and events depicted within their works, and no one blames them for attempting to inspire the same range within their audience. Indeed, one of the things most disquieting about {{Plato}}'s ''Literature/{{Republic}}'' is how Creator/{{Socrates}} bans any emotional art from his supposed {{utopia}}. Without the influence of the tragic, we would not be able to experience some of the most critically-lauded works that have ever been created.

Something of a SubjectiveTrope, as while the definition is consistent, where the line is drawn is a personal matter for each viewer: