That's been the worst sticking point for when I try to bring up MDA stuff in casual conversation tbh T_T
"The appearances of things" is a pretty open sentiment. I like to think it's part of dynamics to observe something and interpret what it is, and part of aesthetics to feel a certain way about that interpretation. The framework was not designed to be applied to the world in this way, but I like to do so anyway.
End of the day tho MDA is still using the term in a way that's not quite congruous to the common understanding of it ;P and that takes some getting used to.