the process of shipping

[jsfunction]

Does anyone else find it weird when people rationalize their ships? I often see in fandom discussions that when asked why they ship something, people give reasons like

Comments

[erinm_4600]

I think your opinion on it is the closest to mine. I ship it because I just do. ♥

[jsfunction]

That's a great way to put it! :)

[flo_nelja]

I don't think it's a choice. I think it's just explaining the reasons of their interest.

I don't choose the books or shows I like, but I can still explain why I like them :-)

For some people, shipping is all about making the characters happy (not for me, but it happens). They know it, it doesn't mean that they chose it.

[jsfunction]

Hmm, yes, I think these definitely sound like legit reasons for why people like a ship, I just think there's an important, but often ignored difference between liking a ship and actually shipping it. Liking something is a bit milder and more general. I like a lot of character dynamics but shipping specifically means that I'm emotionally invested in it to the point of daydreaming about the ship, but I realize other people might use the term differently. The way I see it, the question 'why do you ship it' translates to something like 'what is it that causes shippy squee in you?' and I just find it totally mind-boggling if 'they work well together' or 'they would make each other happy' is that element that could somehow ignite the shippy squee. I mean, if that's all it takes, that person should be shipping every conflict-free pair of characters even if there's almost no interaction between them in the show. I think there must be some other element that makes the ship appealing, and all those 'work well together' etc reasons are just

[tinnny]

Being able to just pick my ships

Lol, that's totally something the rational part of me would want. Not that it's in any way possible.

I 100% agree with your point. I can't choose what I ship. I can fall out of love with a ship for rational reasons sometimes, if I really dislike what one of the characters (or even the actors) does. Not that this is very rational, but at least more rational than shipping in the first place. ;)

[jsfunction]

Oh, I kinda get the falling out of love for rational reasons thing. I'd probably have that reaction too if I had any actually canon ships, they get ruined so easily. But for non-canon ships I can basically overlook anything cause the relationship part is already imaginary so what happens in the actual show doesn't have to change how I imagine the ship.