Abby and I have been slowly defining a 1-10 scale where more than just 7-10 are used. Find it enumerated below. This scale can be used for anything from a new beer, a restaurant, a movie, a person, etc. The exact language changes but the underlying feeling stays the same.
1.
This is quite possibly the worst thing in its category. It has no redeeming qualities and can't even be complimented on it's horrific nature. The Room is a bad movie but that makes it entertaining and therefore much higher rated. This rating is almost as unused as the ten, it's legitimately difficult to find something this awful and not also be impressed by how it's doing awful as good as it is. There is nothing worse than a one. If given a choice between doing something that's a one on this scale and dying, it's a hard decision.
2.
The only difference between one and two, similar to nine and ten, is personal preference. It's important to leave some vague, nebulous definitions to remind us how subjective this entire concept is.
3.
You really don't want to do a three. You throw a fit, demand to do something else. Threes suck. You have to drag me into Times Square, and I'm unhappy the whole time I'm there.
4.
A general disdain. It's disappointing and maybe worse, it's boring. You would rather turn off the television than watch a movie that finds itself in this category.
5.
The word of the hour: Mid. Something that finds itself in this category is serviceable. It's not trash but you would never seek it out. Fives don't move you, they don't really make you think. A five is a decent beer or glass of wine. You're glad you have something to drink but they don't really enhance the experience.
6.
Pleasant. A six is good. You'd go see a comedian again if you thought their performance was a six. Not everything can be great but there is nothing wrong with being a six. I'm never mad about encountering a six. You'd get a beer afterwork with a six.
7.
Sevens routinely find themselves in my memories. I want to go back, I want to rewatch or reread. They're impressive.
8.
You're mad if an eight doesn't win the golden globe. It was damn good and you're willing to fight for an eight. Here and above, you're emotionally attached
9.
As I said before, there is no criteria for a difference between nine and ten, just personal preference. I can think of a bunch of movies and books I would rate a nine, they are the best in their breed, they are the pillars upon which genres are built. But they don't occupy that number one spot in your heart, or should I say the number ten spot. Gods, that's a bad joke and I can't imagine a good reason to not remove it in the edit.
10.
This doesn't have to be perfect. We all have flaws. But the flaws of a ten add to it, they make it better in a way. Very few things can be tens. You have to love them, and that love has to last, it's not some puppy lust that fades. These stick with you, they inspire you, they make you want to create something just as good. They are the finish line.
I wanted to also have a running list of 10/10 things.
Action Movies: Terminator 2 and Dune
Thriller Movies: Silence of the Lambs and Parasite
RPG Game: Baulder's Gate 3
Book: Dune