There is such a thing as over-analyzing a TV show, but ATPo and its discussion board are not guilty of this.
Discuss.
Sheesh.
Published by Nancy E. Shaffer
NANCY E. SHAFFER has been an experimental psychologist (M.A., Cognitive Psychology, Rice University), a philosopher (Ph.D., History and Philosophy of Science, University of California, Davis), and software developer. She taught history and philosophy of science at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec and the University of Nebraska Omaha. Her philosophical work has appeared in the journal Philosophy of Science and her pop-culture philosophy website, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: the Series. Dis/inhbition is her first novel. She currently resides in Tempe, Arizona. View all posts by Nancy E. Shaffer
Author Nancy E. Shaffer 
Huh??? Is someone suggesting that it is? Haven’t people been analysing Shakespeare for 500 years, the Bible for another 1500+ years before that, and I recently watched a program on Sherlock Holmes fans, a very very long tradition of analysis and dressing up.
I came across this today, and it just annoyed me:
http://spikemania.tripod.com/id5.html
“All Things Philosophical on BtVS.” A fun site that looks deeper into the heart of Buffy and Angel. Perfect for those who have to over analyze things. Contains Discussion Boards and other bits of info that will make you go, “Oh. Now I get it.”
First of all, WTF? Just because *they* watch these shows through a shallow lens doesn’t mean that’s the most legitimate way to watch them.
And second, they *admit* that what I write explains stuff they didn’t understand. So how is that “over-analyzing”?
Grrr….
No such thing as too much fun and analyzing is fun. So therefore can you not overanalyze.
I think it *is* possible to overanalyze. You overanalyze when you continually see things in TV shows that *just aren’t there*. But merely discovering hidden depths in a show, depths that were there all along, that’s not over-analyzing.
Just had a quick click through the site and you need to consider the source. It’s a bit of fun, totally different set up than ATPo. There is however a place for everything, she thinks ATPo is a fun site, and there is analysis, moreso than on other sites. As for over-analysis that’s just a matter of interest. Maybe you are over-analysing it. ;-);-)
Thanks for looking over the site for me. I saw the word “Spike” and just couldn’t go any further than the referring page.
And we so-called “over-analyzers” know how to have fun! We’re big fun!
*smile* I sort of used to think TTMQ was an odd badge if honor (as long as it didn’t get into Campbell.)
FWIW, I read that statement as sort of fun also, and the last sentence, Contains Discussion Boards and other bits of info that will make you go, “Oh. Now I get it.” as def positive.
sorry “of honor”
OK, then. Back to database vacumming…
TTMQ is us poking fun at ourselves. But honestly, the service we perform at ATPo enlightening the fandom community speaks for itself.
Except Campbell. That’s right. If you bring in Campbell, you *are* thinking too much.
; ) ; )
That sounds like something one of my students would say, the one who buried her face in her hands when asked a question in class, moaning, “Don’t make me think!”
For some, any=over.
I’m not sure whether to be scared of your student, or amused.
Both, both.
If you bring in Campbell, you *are* thinking too much.
Or perhaps too little.
;o)
Hey! Wait a minute
I bring him (Campbell and others) up all the time and hardly consider myself as one who thinks too much…I mean, the colour on the box says blonde after all…;) Oh yeah and what about the posts on hair and eyes and whatnot?
I liked the fact that they mentioned your site.
Rufus
Re: Hey! Wait a minute
ATPo: We are nothing if not fun!!
One must always be suspicious of people who bring in the *sniff* popularized theorists.
; ) ; )
@>)
I’m not sure they mean the “overanalyze” part all that seriously. In view of the “Now I get it” part, I’m takin’ it in the spirit of “They overanalyze so you don’t have to.”
But if I’m actually explaining something that confused the viewer, then by definition I’m *not* over-analyzing–which by definition means “gratuitous analyzing.”
PS – you’re logged in!!1!
What is Good Television…..
If ATPO etc overanalyses Buffy and Angel, it is because the rest of television, with very few exceptions is philosophical crap these days.
What other shows today is worth it? No really, I would really like to know of any show on tv today that is philosophically worth analysing…
Sorry for the spelling.
Suzi
Re: What is Good Television…..
I would really like to know of any show on tv today that is philosophically worth analysing…
I haven’t found one. I considered “Lost” for about a nanosecond, but luckily the impulse passed quickly.
Well, that’s what I’m saying about not thinking they mean it all that seriously.
I don’t know what’s going on w/my login status. It seems to vary depending on which LJ I’m replying in. I looked above the Message window, & even though the dot was in Anonymous, my username was right there next to “Logged-in User.” So I clicked to put the dot there, but I still had to take the human test. When I passed it, my reply appeared w/that name & my icon. But. When I tried to reply in ‘Bit’s LJ, my username wasn’t on the screen, & the “Password” & “Log in” boxes were greyed out. So my reply showed up as anonymous. And guess what? The same thing’s happening in your LJ now. So maybe it isn’t a q. of whose LJ, in which case I have no idea what it depends on.
OK. Hold on. When the human test came up just now, there was my username again. I just put the dot by it. Let’s see if I can post as myself again. And BTW…your reply showed up in my email last time!
Well, wouldja lookit that. @>\
Oh, come on!!
OK, I’m tired of talking to myself…g’night. @>p