> “It’s how it’s interpreted which makes it meaningful from one person to another, which is beside the point.”

Actually, that was very much my point when writing the Jan 10th post.

Basically, the whole event turned into a what does “deep” mean thing implicitly. Some found that the depth was measured on an intellectual level. Others found that it was measured on an emotional level. No one really was on the black and white side of things, but–as you have stated–they all premised their thoughts on the idea that the individual does matter in the context of what is “deep.”

Right or Wrong, Black or White. It makes for really interesting conversation, but at the end of the day most people are well aware of what they find “deep,” if anything at all.

It does say something when the general tone of everyone talking is “how deep anime is depends on the person”, which makes sense. Limiting the option to yay or nay just doesn’t make things work. :P

I hope I didn’t come off as condescending in any way.

Anyways, it’s got a lot of discussion going and we’ve all learnt a few things from each other in the process. Mission accomplished, I’d say.

When I said, “It makes sense that in general there would be a common thread to the opinions” it may have come off as referencing the supposed hidden conversation. I was actually alluding to the polarity of the fan community with very popular shows, which were the most referenced in the opinion pieces. Very popular anime often incite a love it or hate it kind of attitude, and by virtue of that polarity we get well defined feelings toward the art.

Overall, even though I probably didn’t read all the related post, it was a good interaction between the various members of readers and writers in the community.

@lk – Yes, entertainment is rooted in the perception of the work. I related entertainment to a form of happiness.

Nothing necessitates the formation of a unique opinion. People as communal creatures that learn from one another. Divergent opinions in a general context can often mean that one is completely wrong as much as one is solidly right. But, then we get into the subjectivity of right and wrong; things just go down hill from there.

I prefer to take the opinion that many simply share the same views.

As is the entertainment. The sad thing about this “cross-community blogging” thing is that those involved don’t even realize that they’re saying the same thing (mainly because they’re unable to form meaningful opinions on their own).

I gave everyone the liberty of doing whatever they wished from a single line, so yeah. No discussion whatsoever. If you feel that left out you can always join us the next time or something.

It makes sense that in general there would be a common thread to the opinions. I don’t know if I would say that they said the same thing. Maybe more like they had an opinion geared in the same direction, which isn’t surprising.

As to my opinion, I felt that most of them were still of the mindset that there was some inherent “deepness” in the anime or art. There are different levels of complexity, but the depth is purely a human attribute IMHO.