Criticism versus Constructive Criticism Xah Lee, 2003-01
A lot intelligent people are rather confused about criticism, especially in our “free-speech” free-for-all internet age. When they say “constructive criticisms are welcome” they mostly mean “bitching and complaints not welcome”. Rarely do people actually mean that “criticism without suggestion of possible solutions are not welcome” or “impolite criticism not welcome”. Such discernment is important. Wanton bitching as internet-using geeks are used to is not criticism is any form. People can be respected and make a living out of criticisms, called critics, but not bitching. And when one really value opinions, you often want criticism without qualifications. Just be happy that valuable criticisms may come to you free from the experts in the public. The instant you qualify what kind of feedback are welcome, your feedback is compromised. (this is particularly so for political or controversial subjects) One easy way for many of the unix geeks to understand this is the cryptology industry. If one really desires valuable criticisms that is polite or with solutions or “constructive” (whatever that means), one usually have to pay. ---- This post is archived at: http://xahlee.org/UnixResource_dir/writ/criticism.html Xah [EMAIL PROTECTED] ∑ http://xahlee.org/ -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
