Silee or Jaylee Poll Results - As promised

POSTED BY: hisgoodgirl
UPDATED: Tuesday, May 9, 2006 19:56
VIEWED: 5743
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HISGOODGIRL

Thursday, May 4, 2006 10:01 PM

Howdie, Folks,

There's two parts to this here poll. Part Two is the statistics. Part one is a rant. A friendly rant, but still, a rant. Since I started the poll, it's my soapbox, for a few lines at least.

A number of forum threads have explored and fiercely debated the plausibility of the canon paring of Simon and Kaylee as compared with the non-canon paring of Kaylee with Jayne. While a wide variety of other possible or likely pairings may be appreciated by fans of the Firefly 'Verse, for some reason this particular issue continues to be an especially emotional one for all parties.

This being noted, I want to encourage all Browncoats to remember that one of the core elements of the credo we share is the right to be individuals, with individual beliefs, preferences and perspectives. I think it's also important to remember that we are drawn to particular characters because of qualities they embody which we either identify with or long to incorporate into ourselves. Conversely, we may dislike or reject certain characters for a variety of reasons having as much to do with our own issues as with the character.

While Joss had his own original vision and story, one which he was unfortunately never able to fully realize, we, as fans and fanfic writers, have taken the liberty of using our imaginations to stretch his story just a wee bit farther. The thing I want to underline here is that we're expending a HUGE amount of energy arguing about who's personal make-believe is right.

If you enjoy reading about Simon and Kaylee in relationship, then enjoy. If you prefer to imagine her with the big merc, then imagine away. Read what you like. Don't read what you don't like. But for Buddha's sake, don't waste air arguin' that your personal tastes are the only right way. That's way too close to Alliance thinkin' for this Independent.

Technical analysis of the raw data was most kindly provided by Squish, a research psychologist who does this sort of thing professionally. On 5/4/06, she wrote:

{As a researcher, I should say that this survey was not an unbiased, nor a representative, sample of those who frequent the Firefly ‘verse (most likely people who have a specific interest in the issue were more likely to respond), but it can tell us a little something about the question asked.

Eighty-three people responded to the survey with the requested information. There were 29 male responses and 54 female responses. Fifty-one respondents preferred Silee and 32 preferred Jaylee.

There is a significant age difference among those who prefer Jaylee (mean age = 30.34, standard deviation = 9.37) and those who prefer Silee (mean age=25.12, standard deviation = 8.56). For those who want to know, this was an independent samples t-test (t (81) = 2.61, p=.011). For those who didn’t want to know…sorry.

There is also a significant preference based on gender. A Chi-Square test of independence on frequencies demonstrated that females were equal in their preference of Jaylee and Silee, while more males preferred Silee than Jaylee (Male/Jaylee = 5, Male/Silee = 24, Female/Jaylee = 27, Female/Silee = 27). Again, for those who wanted to know, Chi-Square = 8.56 (1), p=.003.

The survey isn’t definitive and is only suggestive of one thing that should be clear, age has the biggest impact on preference. Those who are older may see Jayne differently than those who are younger. The survey does not attempt to answer why, but some hypotheses are clearly in order. Older (when did 30+ turn into older???) viewers may find more in common with the character of Jayne and less with Simon because of age differences of the actors. Also, men in general may find more in common with Simon’s character than that of Jayne.

It is interesting to note through all the comments that everyone seems to love Kaylee and have her best interests at heart. I think that is a positive aspect of the disagreement that we see frequently arising (although why it is even a disagreement is perplexing to me). Hopefully, everyone can see that preference is

AZHEA

Thursday, May 4, 2006 10:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by hisgoodgirl:
So, folks, what is apparent from all of this is that we each view the 'Verse in our own unique way, through the lens of our own personal experiences and biases. And we choose our fiction because it speaks to us AS INDIVIDUALS in some deeply personal way. For this reason, if no other, let's agree to afford each other some respect.

Gods, you just said a mouthful there!!!

*************************************************
I mean to confound these bungers!
http://www.freewebs.com/liadanfirefly/index.htm

SQUISH

Friday, May 5, 2006 12:11 AM

Well said 'hisgoodgirl' and hopefully everyone will find it interesting!

All we really need is for the verse to continue, whether it's in another movie or in our imaginations and fanfic doesn't matter. As long as we keep it going!

-squish

RAVENHAIR

Friday, May 5, 2006 12:25 AM

Thanks for this! Very interesting and good advice!

*****
Mal:We're still flying.
Simon: That's not much.
Mal: It's enough.

AERIN

Friday, May 5, 2006 3:46 AM

Thanks!

BIGDAMNNOBODY

Friday, May 5, 2006 3:46 AM

Joss, If you are reading this please drop that whole Wonder Woman project and give us another movie to talk about, PLEASE!

De-lurking to stir stuff up

EMBERS

Friday, May 5, 2006 4:00 AM

but what about us who want Jayne w/River?

or maybe w/Inara if there was a day when she got really really drunk?

**********************************************
watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse
have you checked out this thread?:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=15816

and listen to 'I'm Going To See Serenity':
http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/artistdetails.php?BandHash=a0
c814e1229742ce77ed4497cbf4631c

MATTCOZ

Friday, May 5, 2006 6:51 AM

I'm still throwing in my support for Mattlee.

PHOENIXROSE

Friday, May 5, 2006 10:31 AM

Facinatin'.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

ZISKER

Friday, May 5, 2006 11:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mattcoz:
I'm still throwing in my support for Mattlee.

*ROFLMAO* Hi-larious.

The age different would be an interesting follow up study. I don't know if the male age difference varied from the female, but that could be fun for an aspiring mathematician.

One day.
One plan.
One army of Browncoats.

On June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.
http://www.serenityday.org/

Little or no free time, but want to help?
Help Spread the Signal: http://www.geocities.com/browncoatsignalcorps

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