History Main / ObservationOnOriginality

This observation is a companion to SturgeonsLaw, the driving force behind CapcomSequelStagnation, the reason SeinfeldIsUnfunny, and why a bad work with a DancingBear might still be popular and ground-breaking. Please remember that Administrivia/TropesAreTools without inherent morality.

This observation is a companion to SturgeonsLaw, the driving force behind CapcomSequelStagnation, the reason SeinfeldIsUnfunny, and a recognition of how Administrivia/TropesAreTools, without inherent morality.

This observation is a companion to SturgeonsLaw, the driving force behind CapcomSequelStagnation, the reason SeinfeldIsUnfunny, and a recognition of how TropesAreTools, without inherent morality.

This observation is a companion to SturgeonsLaw, the driving force behind CapcomSequelStagnation, the reason SeinfeldIsUnfunny, and a recognition of the tradeoffs between [[TropesAreTools Tropes are Not Bad]] and [[TropesAreTools Tropes are Not Good]].

Other works try for originality and much is gained. But something is also lost. The new bits, being new, are also a bit buggy. Characters, scenes, plot points, and dialogue go too far, don't go far enough, or go off in [[UnbuiltTrope unexpected directions]]. Perhaps the unfamiliar is pushed a little too far and becomes alienating. At any rate, you walk away wondering just what you saw and how you were supposed to react to it.

This trope brings an unexpected payoff; namely, the [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff popularity of foreign media in many markets]]. Something highly-polished and Strictly Formula in one context is new and original when exported to an audience not familiar with its conventions. For example, {{Anime}} and, to a lesser extent, UsefulNotes/{{Bollywood}} are popular in America partly because such works have the well-worn expertise of an established genre but the plot and character beats are novel.

Some works are StrictlyFormula. You've seen a hundred movies (or novels, or video games) just like it, but all that practice has paid off. Every scene is tight, every heartstring is pulled, every plot line pays off at just the right moment, and nothing stands between you and a triumphant emotional experience (except, of course, the feeling that you've seen it all before).

Other works try for originality and much is gained. But something is also lost. The new bits, being new, are also a bit buggy. Characters, scenes, plot points, and dialog either go too far, don't go far enough, or go off in [[UnbuiltTrope slightly wrong directions]]. Perhaps the unfamiliar is pushed a little too far and becomes alienating. At any rate, you walk away wondering just what you saw and how you were supposed to react to it.

Amusingly, this trope also accounts for the [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff popularity of foreign media in many markets]] -- something highly-polished and Strictly Formula in one context is new and original when exported to an audience not familiar with its conventions. For example, {{Anime}} and, to a lesser extent, UsefulNotes/{{Bollywood}} are popular in America partly because the styles are highly developed but the plot and character beats are novel.

Pure genre exercises are almost always fairly well done. You've seen a hundred movies (or novels, or video games) just like this one, they've made a hundred movies just like it, and all that practice has paid off. Every scene is tight, every heartstring is pulled, and nothing stands between you and a triumphant emotional experience except, of course, over-familiarity.

Other works try for originality, and much is gained. But something is also lost. The new bits, being new, are also a bit buggy. Characters, scenes, plot points, and dialog either go too far, don't go far enough, or go off in [[UnbuiltTrope slightly wrong directions]]. Perhaps the unfamiliar is pushed a little too far and becomes alienating.

Which brings us to this reminder: "If you seek novelty, then do not expect a polished experience. If you seek a polished experience, then do not expect novelty."

This observation is a companion to SturgeonsLaw, the driving force behind CapcomSequelStagnation, the reason SeinfeldIsUnfunny, and a recognition of the tradeoffs between [[TropesAreTools Tropes Are Not Bad]] and [[TropesAreTools Tropes Are Not Good]].

Also the main reason for the [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff popularity of foreign media in many markets]]. For example, {{Anime}} and, to a lesser extent, UsefulNotes/{{Bollywood}} are popular in America partly because the styles are highly developed but seem surprisingly original (to foreign audiences, at first).

Also the main reason for the [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff popularity of foreign media in many markets]]. For example, {{Anime}} and, to a lesser extent, {{Bollywood}} are popular in America partly because the styles are highly developed but seem surprisingly original (to foreign audiences, at first).

Also the main reason for the popularity of foreign media in many markets. For example, {{Anime}} and, to a lesser extent, {{Bollywood}} are popular in America partly because the styles are highly developed but seem surprisingly original (to foreign audiences, at first).

-->-- '''Unknown''', [[BeamMeUpScotty commonly]] [[http://www.samueljohnson.com/goodorig.html misattributed to]] Samuel Johnson.

-->-- '''Unknown''', [[BeamMeUpScotty commonly]] [[http://www.samueljohnson.com/goodorig.html\ misattributed to]] Samuel Johnson.

-->-- '''Unknown''', [[BeamMeUpScotty commonly misattributed to]] Samuel Johnson.

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