To build on what Platy said... it's just like how gay people can enjoy heterosexual relationships (since that's mostly what there is readily available) in TV/movies/books/etc, while not actually wanting it for themselves. Asexuality is just another streak on the sexuality spectrum - individuals who appreciate fellow humans are totally capable of empathizing with and rooting for other people, even when their desires totally don't match up. There are a LOT of straight women on the internet for example who are all about homoerotic relationships. This isn't a perfect comparison, since that has a lot to do with titilation and pleasure, but it's still an experience you wouldn't (and COULDN'T) have but are capable of following and enjoying.
And there's also a linguistic/cultural element... to refer to a character as "shockingly hot" is to speak the language. That's how to relate your feelings on Abed in that scene without getting into the deeper annals of why you feel that way - you just have to drop that familiar turn of phrase, and everyone knows what you're talking about. Efficiency, basically, and simplicity of conversation, because being asexual isn't a full time job and not the endpoint of every conversation you want to open. Hope that makes sense!!
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branchandroot
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Date: 2012-12-01 07:06 am (UTC)And there's also a linguistic/cultural element... to refer to a character as "shockingly hot" is to speak the language. That's how to relate your feelings on Abed in that scene without getting into the deeper annals of why you feel that way - you just have to drop that familiar turn of phrase, and everyone knows what you're talking about. Efficiency, basically, and simplicity of conversation, because being asexual isn't a full time job and not the endpoint of every conversation you want to open. Hope that makes sense!!