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On one hand, the state of being “animated” implies the…

“On one hand, the state of being “animated” implies the most general of all affective conditions (that of being “moved” in one way or another), but also a feeling that implies being “moved” by a particular feeling, as when one is said to be animated by happiness or anger. Animatedness thus seems to…” quote by Sianne Ngai
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““On one hand, the state of being “animated” implies the most general of all affective conditions (that of being “moved” in one way or another), but also a feeling that implies being “moved” by a particular feeling, as when one is said to be animated by happiness or anger. Animatedness thus seems to have both an unintentional and intentional form. In a strange way, it seems at once a zero-degree feeling and a complex meta-feeling, which not only takes other feelings as its object, but takes only other intentional feelings as its object. For we can speak of someone’s being “animated” by a passion like anger, but not by an objectless mood like nostalgia or depression, which tend to have a de-animating effect on those affected by them.””

Sianne Ngai

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Animatedness describes being moved by a specific emotion, combining unintentional feeling with intentional response, and applies only to intentional emotions, not vague moods.

In simple terms: Being animated means feeling moved by a clear emotion.

Key Takeaway

Recognize which emotions truly animate you.

Themes

emotion psychology philosophy

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

theoretical critical

When to use this quote

  • art criticism
  • personal reflection
  • therapy
  • education

Key Concepts

meta‑feeling intentionality affect theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What emotions animate you?
  • Can a mood become intentional?
A Different Perspective

Animatedness may be hard to distinguish from general mood.

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