I think about this stuff all the time/way too much. I've come to the conclusion that criticism is primarily autobiographical in nature, and as such, can only work if it's honest. Anytime I read something that is intentionally incendiary or troll-ish in its approach is an automatic turnoff because I find those to be displeasing/dishonest personality traits. Good criticism deepens appreciation, draws new connections, brings forth new context – stuff that would make me want to be friends with someone. If art is about generating meaningful connection across socio-cultural divides, criticism is judging whether that endeavor was successful. It's not cheerleading/stanning/whatever-ing – because that's equally dishonest. I'd sum it up with: Use your eyes/ears/heart and say what's on your mind. Don't lie.
I've always felt that those intentionally troll-ish teardowns were a form of self-reporting ineptitude. There's such a strange, angry jealousy behind the worst criticism (I also, however, feel like it's unfair to call that sort of writing 'criticism' in the sense we mean . . . or need to mean).
Everybody should be able to leave one-star reviews on subpar skillets on Amazon. That is a God-given Internet right.
Now if only we could teach people how to think waaaaaaay too much about their subpar skillets. I expect award-winning commentary in appliance criticism.
I think about this stuff all the time/way too much. I've come to the conclusion that criticism is primarily autobiographical in nature, and as such, can only work if it's honest. Anytime I read something that is intentionally incendiary or troll-ish in its approach is an automatic turnoff because I find those to be displeasing/dishonest personality traits. Good criticism deepens appreciation, draws new connections, brings forth new context – stuff that would make me want to be friends with someone. If art is about generating meaningful connection across socio-cultural divides, criticism is judging whether that endeavor was successful. It's not cheerleading/stanning/whatever-ing – because that's equally dishonest. I'd sum it up with: Use your eyes/ears/heart and say what's on your mind. Don't lie.
I've always felt that those intentionally troll-ish teardowns were a form of self-reporting ineptitude. There's such a strange, angry jealousy behind the worst criticism (I also, however, feel like it's unfair to call that sort of writing 'criticism' in the sense we mean . . . or need to mean).
Will be interesting! Who said, "Everyone is a critic?" The internet has certainly magnified that saying.
Everybody should be able to leave one-star reviews on subpar skillets on Amazon. That is a God-given Internet right.
Now if only we could teach people how to think waaaaaaay too much about their subpar skillets. I expect award-winning commentary in appliance criticism.