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Vilui Since: May, 2009
2024-01-31 23:23:08

Well, the reason that "avoidances" is used there is clear if you quote the whole paragraph:

A good rule of thumb for remembering which is which is that a subversion is where the writer literally "subverts our expectations," while an aversion is where the writer completely avoids them from the get-go (in fact, it might even be better for aversions to simply be called "avoidances", were it not for the enormous hassle such a change would be for this site).

I don't like this paragraph much either. The word "avoidances" feels strange, because "avoidance" is almost always used as an uncountable noun; so if someone were actually to say "I think aversions should be called avoidances", you'd expect them to be overruled pretty quickly. Maybe it would be best to take the parenthesis out altogether.

Then again it's 7am and I shouldn't be up, so feel free to ignore my rambling.

IronAnimation Since: Jan, 2012
2024-01-31 23:32:25

I think "absent" or "missing" would be better. But I'm also in favor of just removing the line entirely if there isn't consensus on a better word to use.

Edited by IronAnimation
IronAnimation Since: Jan, 2012
2024-02-04 10:15:04

May I delete the line? Would like to hear at least someone else's opinion.

LordGro (Old as dirt)
2024-02-04 15:26:24

I don't agree with the view that "averted trope" is synonymous with "absent trope". "Averting a trope" means not using a trope which is common in works of the same genre or medium, to the point the trope might actually be expected by the audience. I think "averted trope" and "avoided trope" are synonymous. "Defied Trope" is different because it explicitly draws attention the fact that a specific trope is not used. I guess you can call "Defied Trope" a subcategory of "Averted Trope".

For the question at hand, I would delete the whole sentence in the parenthesis. It's a digression. Remarks on the merits of the term "aversion" belong on Averted Trope, not here.

IronAnimation Since: Jan, 2012
2024-02-04 15:45:59

Not going to disagree because I think it's besides the point, but I also agree with cutting the whole thing. If no one objects to removing it, I'll do that later.

StarSword Since: Sep, 2011
2024-02-04 17:06:33

^^I agree with this: I think there's a qualitative difference between averting a trope that there's no sane reason to include in a given work in the first place, and averting a trope that is at least possible if not common in similar works.

For example, averting Space Is Noisy by having no engine noises etc. in a space-based science fiction series is one thing (c.f. Firefly), but we wouldn't even begin to consider the trope in a discussion about a completely terrestrial Slice of Life series.

Defied Trope is a little different, though: it's supposed to be where characters In-Universe actively prevent a trope from taking place.

Trust me, I'm an engineer!
IronAnimation Since: Jan, 2012
2024-02-04 19:47:25

At this point, we should just focus on the sticker line.

Litigation on the theoretical most accurate single word to describe an averted trope is a bigger discussion I don't think we should have here if the line can just be removed instead. If you think the current line should stay, please say that.

Edited by IronAnimation
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