and thats the thing isnt it! if people are ONLY ever discussing the negative aspects, the problematic aspects, the aspects they dont like... how much of it do you actually like, then? if you think it just sucks overall, what is the actual tangible purpose of sticking around with a piece of media that lost its luster to you (checks watch) more than half a decade ago? most post-canon enjoyers DO have critiques of the media (ie jakemorph's mention of the way jade was HANDLED rather than the plot point being bad at all, which i agree with), because thats a normal thing to have about the media you like. if thats all a fan talks about, though, and they never have anything good to say or anything enjoyable to engage with in reference to homestuck media, genuinely actually asking why stick around? whats the point, for them as a reader, anymore? especially when theres the option of Consuming Other Media that does those things they liked "better"?

re: jakemorph again, reiterating this
if your appreciation of something is founded in a nostalgic obsession with only part of that thing, then, no, I don't think it's unfair to say that appreciation is "not real".