Silly psychology question (in fictional novel)
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The other day we were watching "Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull" (UK terrestrial TV is not wonderful). I was struck by how many times the 'heroes' stood and watched while their doom seemed sealed, before actually reacting. It seems to be a method that is supposed to make the action more dramatic. But it just makes the cast look stupid, IMHO.
To preface I have no education even near either film or psychology and am purely playing armchair expert here :laugh: While often used as tool to increase tension and maybe prolong the moment to let the audience digest the gravity of the situation I wouldn't call it a wholly unnatural behaviour. Like deer in headlights I know I've more than once frozen up in moments of sudden danger so it is a thing. Though I'd expect people prone to danger, like fictional seasoned adventurers, would have trained themselves to overcome the "freeze" reaction in favour of actually moving out of harms way.
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I have been reading lots of web novel of late on [Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/home).. and 2 things struck me as odd about characters psychology in those books. Okay admittedly they are fictional, but I imagine the psychology is somewhat authentic in the eye of the author perhaps? All of that to say, many characters are: 1. prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood. 2. alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them The first one, about needless anger leave me particularly confused. Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)? Or maybe is it how people view teenagers? But perhaps that's just me, I couldn't even get angry during my one single fight I had when I was a teenager meself... The second is a bit less strange, although why not being angry enough to move hey? instead of just staring stupidly? What kind of author comes up with that for their characters?
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Have often heard that anger is a manifestation of unfulfilled desires. Is it that these characters have a number of such unfulfilled desires so that anger comes naturally to them?
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To preface I have no education even near either film or psychology and am purely playing armchair expert here :laugh: While often used as tool to increase tension and maybe prolong the moment to let the audience digest the gravity of the situation I wouldn't call it a wholly unnatural behaviour. Like deer in headlights I know I've more than once frozen up in moments of sudden danger so it is a thing. Though I'd expect people prone to danger, like fictional seasoned adventurers, would have trained themselves to overcome the "freeze" reaction in favour of actually moving out of harms way.
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I have been reading lots of web novel of late on [Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/home).. and 2 things struck me as odd about characters psychology in those books. Okay admittedly they are fictional, but I imagine the psychology is somewhat authentic in the eye of the author perhaps? All of that to say, many characters are: 1. prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood. 2. alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them The first one, about needless anger leave me particularly confused. Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)? Or maybe is it how people view teenagers? But perhaps that's just me, I couldn't even get angry during my one single fight I had when I was a teenager meself... The second is a bit less strange, although why not being angry enough to move hey? instead of just staring stupidly? What kind of author comes up with that for their characters?
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May I say my two cents re/ psychology of fictional characters in particular as I see on TV shows e.g. "The Good Doctor" and many others. It is inevitable whilst a character in some difficulty a social compatriot will state "I'm here for you." I have absolutely no idea what that means. I am always irritated upon such . As for anger I also agree it occurs easily e.g. for TV characters . I assume writers insist on it for "drama" which also always irritates me as I enjoying nothing more then characters behaving in a logical manner which unfortunately does not occur too often . -Cheerio
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Have often heard that anger is a manifestation of unfulfilled desires. Is it that these characters have a number of such unfulfilled desires so that anger comes naturally to them?
I happen to know something about anger . It is in fact deciding that another is less than human so they are treated in an inhuman way .
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I have been reading lots of web novel of late on [Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/home).. and 2 things struck me as odd about characters psychology in those books. Okay admittedly they are fictional, but I imagine the psychology is somewhat authentic in the eye of the author perhaps? All of that to say, many characters are: 1. prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood. 2. alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them The first one, about needless anger leave me particularly confused. Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)? Or maybe is it how people view teenagers? But perhaps that's just me, I couldn't even get angry during my one single fight I had when I was a teenager meself... The second is a bit less strange, although why not being angry enough to move hey? instead of just staring stupidly? What kind of author comes up with that for their characters?
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I fail to understand the question... You never saw (nor heard of) people, of any age, or origin, lash out? You have no people imprisoned in your country, for unpremeditated violence? And anyway... would there be any novel left, without that anger?
"If we don't change direction, we'll end up where we're going"
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I have been reading lots of web novel of late on [Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/home).. and 2 things struck me as odd about characters psychology in those books. Okay admittedly they are fictional, but I imagine the psychology is somewhat authentic in the eye of the author perhaps? All of that to say, many characters are: 1. prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood. 2. alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them The first one, about needless anger leave me particularly confused. Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)? Or maybe is it how people view teenagers? But perhaps that's just me, I couldn't even get angry during my one single fight I had when I was a teenager meself... The second is a bit less strange, although why not being angry enough to move hey? instead of just staring stupidly? What kind of author comes up with that for their characters?
A new .NET Serializer All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar Taking over the world since 1371!
I can no more imagine what you are reading than I can imagine how you experience it. cheers, Bill
«The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled» Plutarch
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I have been reading lots of web novel of late on [Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/home).. and 2 things struck me as odd about characters psychology in those books. Okay admittedly they are fictional, but I imagine the psychology is somewhat authentic in the eye of the author perhaps? All of that to say, many characters are: 1. prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood. 2. alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them The first one, about needless anger leave me particularly confused. Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)? Or maybe is it how people view teenagers? But perhaps that's just me, I couldn't even get angry during my one single fight I had when I was a teenager meself... The second is a bit less strange, although why not being angry enough to move hey? instead of just staring stupidly? What kind of author comes up with that for their characters?
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Super Lloyd wrote:
prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood.
Intermittent explosive disorder. One that I found.
Super Lloyd wrote:
alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them
Extreme depression. They want to die and just have not acted on it. I have seen criticism of the way in which disorders are defined in that the criteria are almost always subjective.
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I have been reading lots of web novel of late on [Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/home).. and 2 things struck me as odd about characters psychology in those books. Okay admittedly they are fictional, but I imagine the psychology is somewhat authentic in the eye of the author perhaps? All of that to say, many characters are: 1. prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood. 2. alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them The first one, about needless anger leave me particularly confused. Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)? Or maybe is it how people view teenagers? But perhaps that's just me, I couldn't even get angry during my one single fight I had when I was a teenager meself... The second is a bit less strange, although why not being angry enough to move hey? instead of just staring stupidly? What kind of author comes up with that for their characters?
A new .NET Serializer All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar Taking over the world since 1371!
Super Lloyd wrote:
Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)?
You're not calm at all. You're just clearly not in touch with your anger. It's more passive aggressive. I mean, props for honesty I guess, but we all know if an American said they had something against all Europeans, etc. we'd be considered racist, prejudiced, etc.
Jeremy Falcon
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I fail to understand the question... You never saw (nor heard of) people, of any age, or origin, lash out? You have no people imprisoned in your country, for unpremeditated violence? And anyway... would there be any novel left, without that anger?
"If we don't change direction, we'll end up where we're going"
Anger is understandable.. 3 books in a row with characters excessively angry, less so... In fact, check it out for yourself if you want, the story is quite interesting, I just grew to dislike the main character for reason that might not affect you... [Awakening The Angel System (LITRPG): S1 The Great Escape | Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/60058/awakening-the-angel-system-litrpg-s1-the-great?review=1523049#review-1523049)
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Super Lloyd wrote:
Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)?
You're not calm at all. You're just clearly not in touch with your anger. It's more passive aggressive. I mean, props for honesty I guess, but we all know if an American said they had something against all Europeans, etc. we'd be considered racist, prejudiced, etc.
Jeremy Falcon
So I am angry but you are prejudiced? Why couldn't I also be prejudiced but not particularly angry, like you are instead, hey? I am thousands of kilometers from America. I am more sad for them than anything else, their society seems rife with internal conflict. Anyway whatever, not really addressing my question here, are you?! ;P
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I can no more imagine what you are reading than I can imagine how you experience it. cheers, Bill
«The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled» Plutarch
mmm.... in fact better than imagining it, you could simply read for yourself! :) It's a free web novel on Royal Road, have a go! :) [Awakening The Angel System (LITRPG): S1 The Great Escape | Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/60058/awakening-the-angel-system-litrpg-s1-the-great?review=1523049#review-1523049)
A new .NET Serializer All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar Taking over the world since 1371!
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May I say my two cents re/ psychology of fictional characters in particular as I see on TV shows e.g. "The Good Doctor" and many others. It is inevitable whilst a character in some difficulty a social compatriot will state "I'm here for you." I have absolutely no idea what that means. I am always irritated upon such . As for anger I also agree it occurs easily e.g. for TV characters . I assume writers insist on it for "drama" which also always irritates me as I enjoying nothing more then characters behaving in a logical manner which unfortunately does not occur too often . -Cheerio
A like minded soul it seems... a beer for you! :) At the risk of sounding old and curmudgeonly, I fear the quality of our TV shows and movie might have gone down over time... which in turn affect young writers. Though there is more variety of skill to be found in literature.
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Have often heard that anger is a manifestation of unfulfilled desires. Is it that these characters have a number of such unfulfilled desires so that anger comes naturally to them?
mmm.. perhaps... The author did reply to my comment saying there justification to come. I fear the author is just a young writer. While promising, his character writing could be improved...
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So I am angry but you are prejudiced? Why couldn't I also be prejudiced but not particularly angry, like you are instead, hey? I am thousands of kilometers from America. I am more sad for them than anything else, their society seems rife with internal conflict. Anyway whatever, not really addressing my question here, are you?! ;P
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I don't take posts seriously that show blatant passive-aggressive hostility, while pretending to be calm. And the vast, vast majority of chats I've had with folks on CP has convinced me this is not the place for deep, intellectual, introspective type discussions. Most devs are not mature in the slightest you see, and the hallmark trait of maturity is introspection.
Jeremy Falcon
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Super Lloyd wrote:
prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood.
Intermittent explosive disorder. One that I found.
Super Lloyd wrote:
alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them
Extreme depression. They want to die and just have not acted on it. I have seen criticism of the way in which disorders are defined in that the criteria are almost always subjective.
I guess it's just me overreacting. This kind of thing happen occasionally, I guess. This is not the kind of protagonist I am interested in though. And I have seen that in a few novels, to compound my disappointment.
A new .NET Serializer All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar Taking over the world since 1371!
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I don't take posts seriously that show blatant passive-aggressive hostility, while pretending to be calm. And the vast, vast majority of chats I've had with folks on CP has convinced me this is not the place for deep, intellectual, introspective type discussions. Most devs are not mature in the slightest you see, and the hallmark trait of maturity is introspection.
Jeremy Falcon
mm.. if I understand your reaction, you don't care about my post but are still upset by my prejudice? well, since I am sure you don't really care that much about my prejudice anyway, I hope my worthless apology would suffice to cheer you up then?
A new .NET Serializer All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar Taking over the world since 1371!
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I have been reading lots of web novel of late on [Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/home).. and 2 things struck me as odd about characters psychology in those books. Okay admittedly they are fictional, but I imagine the psychology is somewhat authentic in the eye of the author perhaps? All of that to say, many characters are: 1. prompt to anger and lash out first then, perhaps, think. Also generally having an angry mood. 2. alternatively sometimes somewhat absent minded going so far as staring blankly at an impending doom aiming right at them The first one, about needless anger leave me particularly confused. Am I unnaturally calm? or are American always angry (I suspect they are, I have something against American to be honest)? Or maybe is it how people view teenagers? But perhaps that's just me, I couldn't even get angry during my one single fight I had when I was a teenager meself... The second is a bit less strange, although why not being angry enough to move hey? instead of just staring stupidly? What kind of author comes up with that for their characters?
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That's why we call them "fiction books". Because they are full of fictional characters. Exaggerated emotions. Artificially crafted situations. Made up conflicts. They are not mirroring the reality.
Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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mm.. if I understand your reaction, you don't care about my post but are still upset by my prejudice? well, since I am sure you don't really care that much about my prejudice anyway, I hope my worthless apology would suffice to cheer you up then?
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Sure...
Jeremy Falcon
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I always figured that if I can think of six stupid things a driver could do in an emergency, some daft bugger will do the seventh ... :sigh: It amazes me sometimes that people can have so little road sense: 70mph in thick fog, or on ice and snow; driving a couple of feet behind a lorry and then trying to overtake ...
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
I know bikers that are equally dumb as the drivers you say, or even more. One of them a school pal, had an accident (and a guard angel). The accident was accelerating to 100+ km/h in a 50 km/h town main street after a roundabout, overtaking a bus in prohibited segment and hitting frontally a car that was correctly getting out the perpendicular street. The poor woman had serious anxious attacks due to the accident, although she had do nothing wrong. He flew around 25 meters and then landed on the asfalt. The doctors made 3 times the x-ray pics because they could not believe that he hadn't break anything. But his skin was totally sanded away, he looks like someone who escaped a fire in a building, burning himself the full body.
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
