r/southpark • u/cannoli66 • 5h ago
Discussion who is more rational— kyle or stan?
i see folks argue about who the true “voice of reason” is in the show, and while we do see it switch relatively often, people usually have an answer to this. i’m a bit undecided and would love to hear from folks who feel strongly given certain plot points or takes throughout the show. i wanna know WHY! give examples! make your case :)
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u/TheCommonWren 5h ago
Both were based off the creators and were intended to have similar but differing ethics and morals. Stan usually focuses on mental and personal struggles, while Kyle focuses on struggles with culture and ethnicity. Usually if one of the creators has something that they themselves have struggled with or is currently going through hard times about, they will personify their views on the matter through stan and kyle. Some people may connect with each one individually depending on their own life. Personally I identify with Stan more as someone who is currently dealing with depression and other mental illnesses, however both are complex personas who aren't simply wrong or right.
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u/DreamertK 5h ago
Stan is more of the every kid in the show, average in all ways. Kyle has an intelligence advantage because he's always coming up with the lesson of the show which takes thought and reflection. Sometimes I don't like Kyle's takes, he should have filled his side of the bargain and sucked Cartmans balls or never made the deal.
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u/-Lord-Of-Salem- 4h ago
Shouldn't have made the bet in the first place, if he wasn't ready to pay his dues IMO. Never gamble with a wager you aren't ready to lose. Kyle should have been smart enough to know this.
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u/piranhadub 3h ago
Uhhh fuck Kyle
Btw I am definitely not Eric posting on some doucheknuckle’s Reddit account
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u/fideoscontuco21 5h ago
If we go to who is more rational, thinker, I would say Kyle
If we go to who is more moral or better person, in terms of his actions (come on, no one is 100% good on this show anyway) I would say Stan
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u/PaintedScottishWoods 2h ago
I agree mostly because Cartman is, understandably, the kryptonite for Kyle ever being rational.
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u/DeerlyYours 4h ago
I relate more to Kyle but I think Stan is more of an average Joe which makes him less prone to ridiculous bursts of idealism
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u/Turbulent_Cup_8372 4h ago
Stan is generally more rational, yet gets involved in or causes stupid shit frequently, not out of ignorance, but selfishness. He’s not so much misguided as he is blinded by his own wants and wishes, a trait no doubt he adopted from Randy. On the other hand, Kyle is much more moral and selfless but less rational, as he frequently does questionable things in a misguided attempt to help those in need (like launching a campaign against Canada for the negative influence of Terrance and Phillip, resulting in its nuking). He’s very much a “the ends justify the means” kinda guy.
Basically Stan does the right thing for the wrong reasons and Kyle does the wrong thing for the right reasons.
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u/Bitter_Scarcity_2549 3h ago
I'd say Stan is slightly more rational. I still don't understand why Kyle wanted Cartman to jump all those homeless people
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u/slayem26 Southpark Fan 5h ago
I'd say Kyle is more rational. Stan gets involved in stupid shit a lot more than Kyle. So, I'll go with Kyle.
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u/BAKA_2008 City wok 3h ago
mhh I'd say both, but if I really had to choose one I'd say Stan, idk why, I js feel like Stan wins with it. But I didn't realize on the other side was KYLE, yea he's kind of a nerd.. in a good way tho. Stan's a lil more emotional, but... nah idk can I say both pls
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u/Sobotoc4311 3h ago
Kyle is virtually always a hypocrite. But that doesnt mean his words don't have truth to them. I'd say he's more the voice of reason, because Stan and the gang rarely give a crap about "reason". But thats different entirely than being the most level headed or "normal" which would easily be Stan or Kenny.
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u/TheRailroader 3h ago
Stan is more rational. I never got why Kyle was obsessed with Cartman jumping over homeless people.
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u/Money_Buy_7751 2h ago
Definitely stan, he's as cold as ice, they're both rational in their own way but Stan is just another level of stoicism
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u/Vueveandmoet 1h ago
Stan did jack it in San Diego and got full of himself during the whole Stan your ground cause but I’d say he’s one of the more level headed of the four
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u/an_actual_coyote 5h ago
I'd say Stan by a smidge. During the Biggest Douche In The Universe, Kyle is persuaded by John Edwards, though both have ups and downs throughout the series.