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Complaining: Idiot Plot

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To-do list:

  • As Idiot Plot is Flame Bait, instances of the wick must be removed. Cases in which it's clear the trope's being discussed are safe to keep.
  • A sandbox to track safe wicks can be found here.

    Original post 
Note: This thread was proposed by The Mayor Of Simpleton.

The problem: Idiot Plot is a YMMV item about, as the description puts it, "a Plot that hangs together only because the main characters behave like idiots." From the description:

A single intelligent move or question by any of the characters, and all problems would be resolved. It's not so bad if the characters are supposed to be acting like idiots, but it's very bad if the Idiot Plot depends on intelligent characters picking up the Idiot Ball for the plot to work.

Even worse than that is the "Second-Order Idiot Plot", in which the plot can only function if the world population suddenly loses about 50 IQ points.

The description also mentions that the term "Idiot Plot" was coined by Science Fiction author James Blish, popularized by the film critic Roger Ebert, and even the "second-order idiot plot" term was coined by Damon Knight. This indicates that this a pre-existing term that is legitimately worth documenting.

Unfortunately, as can probably be expected from the name and premise, this YMMV item is being used as a sort of plot version of What an Idiot!, often complaining, whining, and snarking about plots where the characters were ostensibly stupid. I kept seeing this on YMMV pages, and decided to do a wick check (with a little help from Chloe Jessica.)

The wick check: Here's the check. Full results in the link, but here's the quick results:

  • 10/54 examples were both correct and neutral, or 18.52%
  • 30/54 examples were used to complain or written in a complain-y tone, or 55.56%
  • 4/54 misused examples, or 7.41%
  • 9/54 zero context, unclear, or other examples, or 16.67%, and
  • 1/54 unclassifiable wicks, or 1.85%

Totaled together, that's

  • 10/54 correct use, or 18.52%, and
  • 43/54 incorrect use, or 79.63%

Analysis of wicks: So, as can be seen, lots and lots of complaining. Many examples described characters and plots in a very snarky way, sometimes skimping on context in the process, with or without Bold Inflation. A slight bit of misuse as well, sometimes mentioning just one character being stupid, and not others. Overall, I'm getting big What an Idiot! vibes from the usage. Furthermore, as I understand it YMMV items are supposed to document audience reactions. Many of these examples were just one troper's opinion on a work.

Recommended solution(s): I've got two.

  • My preferred option would be to convert this item into a Definition-Only Page. As mentioned, this is a perfectly valid term with its own history, but since there's so much complaining in the examples, it might be worth it just to ditch the examples altogether.
  • Alternatively, if we really want to preserve the examples, we could move this page to Darth. It would give the complaining a space to exist, without polluting YMMV pages as it often does. (Although I still prefer Def-Only, if only because I detest complaining tropes.)

What does everyone else think? Any other ideas or solutions?

Edited by Berrenta on Oct 13th 2022 at 6:25:32 AM

GastonRabbit Sounds good on paper (he/him) from Robinson, Illinois, USA (General of TV Troops) Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
Sounds good on paper (he/him)
#51: Dec 1st 2022 at 11:30:17 AM

I knocked out Main/ and the remainder of namespaces beginning with A through E. Since there are currently less than 400 wicks and we're not removing them all, this probably won't take long.

Patiently awaiting the release of Paper Luigi and the Marvelous Compass.
GastonRabbit Sounds good on paper (he/him) from Robinson, Illinois, USA (General of TV Troops) Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
Sounds good on paper (he/him)
#52: Dec 1st 2022 at 2:14:09 PM

All right, we're done, so locking up.

Patiently awaiting the release of Paper Luigi and the Marvelous Compass.
Add Post

Trope Repair Shop: Idiot Plot
5th Oct '22 1:23:32 AM

Crown Description:

Consensus was to make Idiot Plot a Definition Only Page. Should it be Flame Bait as well?

Total posts: 52
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