Why do people hate anything different (on PH at any rate)?
Discussion
Post a pic of the new VW Beetle, a MINI, Juke, Evoque or anything that isn't a bland blob of yawn inducing proportions and you suddenly get a whole host of people get very irate and upset moaning about how they look?
My suspicion is, it actually has little to do with them looking good or bad, its just a case of different, or more importantly "different from the current accepted norm". So they stand out.
Is conformity really so important to so many?
My suspicion is, it actually has little to do with them looking good or bad, its just a case of different, or more importantly "different from the current accepted norm". So they stand out.
Is conformity really so important to so many?
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 18th November 09:34
I think it's mainly the typical PH mentality of 'I don't like it, therefore everyone that does is an idiot'. You get the same with RWD v FWD, Diesel v Petrol, Turbo v NA, etc etc
Personally I try to keep an open mind. I'll say if I don't like something, but I wont be vitriolic unless I think it really looks terrible and I certainly wont look to have an argument with someone who disagrees with me on a subjective level.
Personally I try to keep an open mind. I'll say if I don't like something, but I wont be vitriolic unless I think it really looks terrible and I certainly wont look to have an argument with someone who disagrees with me on a subjective level.
Edited by The Wookie on Friday 18th November 09:55
300bhp/ton said:
My suspicion is, it actually has little to do with them looking good or bad, its just a case of different, or more importantly "different from the current accepted norm". So they stand out.
I'm all for design that stands out from the crowd, but I do struggle to think of the MINI as an attractive design, especially in some of its guises. The Evoque is striking, certainly, but I wouldn't call it a handsome car.When you think back to car design in the 60s and some of the achingly beautiful designs being produced then; compound curves meeting and flowing across the car. I really do believe that in the search for improvement in safety and aerodynamics, we've lost so much when it comes to the aesthetics.
Those cars still exist to be seen and admired. When any new car is launched it generally leaves me feeling a little cold as a result.
Conformism is pretty important to a lot of people. Arguably it's a genetically pre-programmed evolutionary feature in us - if you conform to the tribe's norms you're less likely to be cast out and more likely to survive and breed successfully.
For some great examples of PH-forum-conformity, check out any fashion thread
As for "hatred" of some car designs, really? There are plenty of car designs that I don't like, but wasting the emotional energy on hating them? No thanks. Most of it will be internet-exaggeration where "dislike" turns into "hatred" in posts (and most posters are bored at work so keen to argue).
For some great examples of PH-forum-conformity, check out any fashion thread
As for "hatred" of some car designs, really? There are plenty of car designs that I don't like, but wasting the emotional energy on hating them? No thanks. Most of it will be internet-exaggeration where "dislike" turns into "hatred" in posts (and most posters are bored at work so keen to argue).300bhp/ton said:
Post a pic of the new VW Beetle, a MINI, Juke, Evoque or anything that isn't a bland blob of yawn inducing proportions and you suddenly get a whole host of people get very irate and upset moaning about how they look?
My suspicion is, it actually has little to do with them looking good or bad, its just a case of different, or more importantly "different from the current accepted norm". So they stand out.
Is conformity really so important to so many?
I have to say, I feel this is a shame - if the opinions here are anything to go by, the different designs will continue to disappear at a rate of knots. Personally I think the Juke and new MINI Coupe (to use two examples) are fantastic - far more interesting than a Golf, to use the generic example. The Juke does take a little modification to become great-looking, but the MINI looks pretty cool to start with.My suspicion is, it actually has little to do with them looking good or bad, its just a case of different, or more importantly "different from the current accepted norm". So they stand out.
Is conformity really so important to so many?
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 18th November 09:34
On the other hand, some companies (BMW) seem like they can do no wrong - they release boring/ugly/bland designs again and again, and instead of getting off-handed dismissal they get 'well, I didn't get it at first, but now I see the badge I really like it!'.
I am one of those who believes nearly any design can be made to look good, even if it's not great to start with - so maybe it's just that I see potential in a lot of designs, and most people rate them on how they appear, there in front of them.
I'm not sure how much hate there is but maybe it is because those cars (as examples and with the possible exception of the Evoque) are just the same bland, boring blobs as every other popular car but dressed up to appear more attractive. It is a bit like being served what looks like a juicy, succulent steak only to discover that it is actually made of carefully shaped and coloured mashed potato (without butter or salt).
Choice is a good thing but how much choice do you have when all you can buy in a popular price category is 57 varieties of VW Golf? Or when every car is optimised for the same EU driving cycle?
Choice is a good thing but how much choice do you have when all you can buy in a popular price category is 57 varieties of VW Golf? Or when every car is optimised for the same EU driving cycle?
The Wookie said:
I think it's mainly the typical PH mentality of 'I don't like it, therefore everyone that does is an idiot'. You get the same with RWD v FWD, Diesel v Petrol, Turbo v NA, etc etc
Not a PH mentality, Human mentality. People need their tribes, the better to hate the other.I reckon this is for four reasons.
1. New cars with more of a striking design quite often look odd or ugly at first. However, give it some time and somehow that ugly car starts to become acceptably attractive, give it more time and often it'll look pretty. The BMW E60 5 series (good example) looked pretty awful when first introduced, but now it looks great... even pretty.
It's all about going with trends and adjusting to new looks. Bangle is gifted designer that's for sure; he was slated at first for his radical designs. And now he's gone people are complaining that the new BMWs are too bland and boring!
This rule doesn't always apply, Audi's for instance. All of the models pretty much look the same, and a new model always looks the same as the previous shape. Boring.
2. People on Pistonheads tend to be VERY judgemental and stereotypical about the type of person that drives a particular brand of car.
Let me explain further... I think that many people on PHs believe they are 'purists'. They hate the demographic that Range Rovers, BMWs, Bentleys, (etc, etc) are marketed at. Therefore as soon as a new Range Rover (for instance) is unveiled on PH news, no matter how good, how pretty, and how economical it may be, most people WILL turn their noses up and instantly hate it.
These cars will then get the usual comments "Bloody footballers car, it's vile". "Another ugly Range Rover", "People who own Range Rover's drive like a
holes, I hate those cars".
It's a shame, because their opinion has often got nothing to do with the actual car, just who (they think) drives them.
3. They can't and will never be able to afford the car in question. Jealous. It's therefore easier to slag it off.
4. The car is just plain UGLY. The Nissan Juke really is tragic...
1. New cars with more of a striking design quite often look odd or ugly at first. However, give it some time and somehow that ugly car starts to become acceptably attractive, give it more time and often it'll look pretty. The BMW E60 5 series (good example) looked pretty awful when first introduced, but now it looks great... even pretty.
It's all about going with trends and adjusting to new looks. Bangle is gifted designer that's for sure; he was slated at first for his radical designs. And now he's gone people are complaining that the new BMWs are too bland and boring!
This rule doesn't always apply, Audi's for instance. All of the models pretty much look the same, and a new model always looks the same as the previous shape. Boring.
2. People on Pistonheads tend to be VERY judgemental and stereotypical about the type of person that drives a particular brand of car.
Let me explain further... I think that many people on PHs believe they are 'purists'. They hate the demographic that Range Rovers, BMWs, Bentleys, (etc, etc) are marketed at. Therefore as soon as a new Range Rover (for instance) is unveiled on PH news, no matter how good, how pretty, and how economical it may be, most people WILL turn their noses up and instantly hate it.
These cars will then get the usual comments "Bloody footballers car, it's vile". "Another ugly Range Rover", "People who own Range Rover's drive like a
holes, I hate those cars".It's a shame, because their opinion has often got nothing to do with the actual car, just who (they think) drives them.
3. They can't and will never be able to afford the car in question. Jealous. It's therefore easier to slag it off.
4. The car is just plain UGLY. The Nissan Juke really is tragic...
ShampooEfficient said:
I think there's a fine line between "challenging" and just plain ugly. I remember thinking the E60 5-series was a horrid looking thing, but it grew on me bit by bit...
I thought the 5 stood out, on launch, as being ugly and while time has softened my dislike to the point where I might actually consider one, it's not that it has become less ugly but rather that all subsequent cars have matched it's ugliness.Ugly is now the norm. I could never ever get excited by the styling of our current Mondeo and in general dislike most modern designs for their fat bulk as much as anything else. As an example, imagine a Nissan Juke being the size of a Fiesta Mk 1 and it might actually be cute and quirky instead of a large blob.
I just ahte the bloated safety-led designs we now have to endure so when I see something like the Astra OPC or whatever they call it, I take some heart that a good-looking car is not impossible.
I also feel a sense of dismay, rather than hate, that so many people buy very average cars for very high prices and kid themselves they've done well. The "falsely perceived status" particularly irks me even though ultimately, it's their loss.
As soon as I read the thread title I didn't even have to check who the OP was.
TBH, I think you are being unfair on the vast majority of people on the forum, and the use of the word 'hate' is rather OTT TBH.
I find that the majority of people on here judge things on their relative merits. Their will always be a few 'fanboys' or 'haters' who are just looking to start an argument, but they normally cancel each other out and in most cases people are more than happy to give their reasoning for disliking/liking something.
I'm personally more annoyed by people who use the phrase 'different' as an excuse to support something that is considered dreadful in the eyes of the majority of PH'ers, and then get on their high horses telling then they are narrow minded and shallow when they express their opinion.
And what about people who automatically deride anything considered as 'mainstream'.
Know anyone like that?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff