Not sure why who caused the ruins is important. I added Destruction Survey
Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty
This is a trope for a character surveying the destruction that they caused. If someone surveys destruction in general, it is not this trope.
But what is the difference in tropes? What does it matter?
Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
The significance here is that the character sees his own handiwork, inspiring guilt or triumph. Seeing someone else's work has a very different effect.
If we were to broaden this trope, we could lump it with characters gazing on fallen foes' bodies or news clippings describing their deeds.
Visually they're the same trope, most of the time. Outside of context, the scene tends to look and feel (and sound) the same no matter who the character is. On the other hand, the emotional connotations of the scene are pretty different. So...*shrug*
edited 28th Jul '12 3:11:46 PM by troacctid
Rhymes with "Protracted."
The emotional connotations aren't normally that different. It's the same bit of guilt, joy, sadness, or triumph. It doesn't matter if the character caused it or just failed to prevent it. There's no difference in the tropes.
Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
How does someone feel guilt or triumph at seeing ruins they didn't cause?
They feel guilt because they couldn't stop it. Because they failed. Because they let those that they loved down. They can feel triumph because there's now nothing left of those that opposed them. Even if they didn't cause their downfall, they can still cackle at it.
Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
Oh, so it's still their ruins, so to speak? If they didn't cause it, they still could have prevented it but didn't? If they didn't destroy it, they sure wanted to? Sure, that's the same thing.
Cutmaster-san
The Hero looking at the ruins of something he cares about is covered under Watching Troy Burn.
I'm bad, and that's good. I will never be good, and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be than me.
Hurler of Swine
Bumping for votes.
What about Survey The Destruction?
edited 27th Nov '12 9:29:01 AM by ArcadesSabboth
Oppression anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere.
Trans Siberian Anarchestra (it/they)
I have to agree with Troacctid that there's a pretty clear difference in tone and emotional substance between when the observer has some measure of responsibility for causing the ruins and when it does not. The one is this trope, the other is only Scenery Gorn.
Shima - triumph and guilt are still reserved for people who were supposed to prevent it or had foreknowledge and concern in the matter of whether the ruins were... ruined. Other possible reactions may include awe, bafflement, horror, grief, envy, apathy, and tourism.
edited 28th Nov '12 9:39:30 AM by Noaqiyeum
The Revolution Will Not Be Tropeable
It looks like this crowner has a consensus for a new name and one new redirect. Should I holler for it to be called?
Oppression anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere.
Calling the crowner as requested.
Culled the examples I knew were wrong or couldn't tell. Changed the laconic so it won't be confused with related tropes. Will soon give a small chainsaw to the description.
Can anyone look into Watching Troy Burn and pick examples that may actually fit here?
edited 15th Dec '12 1:43:34 AM by lu127
"If you aren't him, then you apparently got your brain from the same discount retailer, so..." - FighteerChainsawed a paragraph off the description. Any help? I can't tell if the examples in the discussion page are correct.
"If you aren't him, then you apparently got your brain from the same discount retailer, so..." - Fighteer
While I can't help with the description, I might be able to rename this. Objections?
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
I think you can go ahead and do the rename.
Oppression anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere.
The page is moved. The wicks will have to be taken by someone at a better place than where I am now.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Wicks will have to wait until the description is finalized.
Oppression anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere.The description is ready.
"If you aren't him, then you apparently got your brain from the same discount retailer, so..." - Fighteer
Ok, did the rename, except for that newsletter wick as it seems to be an archive rather than a proper page.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard FeynmanThere's still example cleaning.
"If you aren't him, then you apparently got your brain from the same discount retailer, so..." - Fighteer
Crown Description:
Above The Ruins is currently about someone destroying a location, escaping from it, and finding a high-up place to get a good view of the ongoing destruction. It's commonly seen after a Load Bearing Boss is defeated. Some people are using the trope to refer to any character looking at destruction or a ruined location from above. Two possible fixes are to redefine it to fit the misuse, or a rename to make it sound less broad. Note that Watching Troy Burn already covers heart-wrenching scenes of a hero looking over a location that's been destroyed by a villain, and states that this is often done from a high vantage point.
Flipped my vote accordingly.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman