3 ms·

The main character cheated on their girlfriend to prepare for revenge for... what crime exactly? A private note that she violated her girlfriend's privacy to re

The main character cheated on their girlfriend to prepare for revenge for... what crime exactly? A private note that she violated her girlfriend's privacy to read? Are we supposed to root for the main character because they stopped themselves short on getting revenge and wasn't as shitty of a person as they originally wanted to be? I get this is (likely) fiction, and with all art, not everyone is going to "get it." That said, I don't really get it. The main character is the worst person in the story, but they're also not a relatable flawed antihero you can root for. What did the author intend for us to think?

layer8 3y ago
Yeah, the juxtaposition of those flaws with the “let me work hard to become a more admirable (admired?) person” with the “and I’m super skillful at those improvements” is weird. Also details like cannot help but weep at the picture of a dead bird.
LeroyRaz 3y ago
I agree. Spreadsheet person is bizarre, but did nothing wrong (nor are they sad for having a spreadsheet, just unusual). I also find the protagonists leveling up mockable (but not particularly funny). Personal growth in any characteristic takes time and major effort, but maybe that is part of the satire? I find it hard to workout what is being played straight, and what is being mocked, tbh, I just don't care, or find it that funny. The tropes seem strongly tied to the rationality and EA communities, so maybe if one is part of those communities there is more to the satire?
- TeMPOraL 3y ago
  > The tropes seem strongly tied to the rationality and EA communities, so maybe if one is part of those communities there is more to the satire? Rationality community is where you'd expect to find some spreadsheet people. So if this story is in any way related, it would be an unsuccessful attempt at mocking them.

3 ms·

The main character cheated on their girlfriend to prepare for revenge for... what crime exactly? A private note that she violated her girlfriend's privacy to re

by gurchik 3y ago

layer8 3y ago
Yeah, the juxtaposition of those flaws with the “let me work hard to become a more admirable (admired?) person” with the “and I’m super skillful at those improvements” is weird. Also details like cannot help but weep at the picture of a dead bird.
LeroyRaz 3y ago
I agree. Spreadsheet person is bizarre, but did nothing wrong (nor are they sad for having a spreadsheet, just unusual). I also find the protagonists leveling up mockable (but not particularly funny). Personal growth in any characteristic takes time and major effort, but maybe that is part of the satire? I find it hard to workout what is being played straight, and what is being mocked, tbh, I just don't care, or find it that funny. The tropes seem strongly tied to the rationality and EA communities, so maybe if one is part of those communities there is more to the satire?
- TeMPOraL 3y ago
  > The tropes seem strongly tied to the rationality and EA communities, so maybe if one is part of those communities there is more to the satire? Rationality community is where you'd expect to find some spreadsheet people. So if this story is in any way related, it would be an unsuccessful attempt at mocking them.