@oatmeal You talk about feelings and stuff when viewing a piece. I think I have a similar concept, but mainly about the amount of work put in something. The sum of all details, big and small, known circumstances, etc. that lead something seemingly basic (xkcd, or indeed the ratcopter) to really click, while some seemingly perfectly rendered thing don't trigger anything in the viewer.

Somehow, I think the work of the authors creep into their productions, one way or another. And we can see that.