Why do we criticise?

Lisnaholic · 06-16-2017, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicShazam

As a reply to the original question, I'd say we often critizise simply because we, as humans, want to express ourselves. If I just saw a bad movie, I want to tell someone about it. If there's no friend nearby, it might end up as a whiny Youtube comment. Then someone who likes the movie will read that comment and take it as a personal attack and the whole cycle of silly internet mud slinging commences.

Criticism isn't really inherently negative in my opinion. It's just that some people can't seem to play along and have fun with the conversation.

^ May I say what a remarkably sensible post this is?

I think you are the first person in the thread to mention the many positive effects of criticism, which is a reminder that in academic circles "criticism" really just means "analysis." A critical essay on the novels of Dickens, for example, may conclude that they are among the finest ever written.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elphenor

instead of "what are we going to do about climate change" the conversation becomes "are humans causing climate change"

CNN did the same thing on healthcare running hit pieces on Universal Care inbetween ads for pharmaceutical companies like "idk looks like this system is just as bad guys"

^ Yes, those kinds of undeclared, sleight-of-hand deflections are very worrying. So easy to miss if you're not paying attention.

Dylstew · 06-16-2017, 04:43 PM

We're all gonna die of climate change pretty soon let's enjoy the end of the world

Trollheart · 06-16-2017, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylstew

We're all gonna die of climate change pretty soon let's enjoy the end of the world

I deny this.

Neapolitan · 06-16-2017, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

A huge and open question, and I'm not just talking about this forum. Why is it that we, as a race, feel the need to judge and criticise things we don't agree with? Whether it's music (duh), literature, religion (or lack of it), political beliefs, where we holiday, what sports team we support ... we seem to all have this innate need to say "no you're wrong. You should be listening to this/reading that/thinking this/supporting that" etc.

Why?

Is it to make ourselves feel better? Is it to (hopefully) improve the life of the other person? Is it an inferiority complex? Are we that arrogant that we think we know it all? Is it just for the kicks? Do we want to be seen to be more intelligent than we are, or is this just another part of humanity's desperate and constant need for combat and competition?

I'd like to have a serious discussion on this. I'm sure that's not what I'll get, but I'd really like to see what people think. In essence, why can't it all be good and why do we have to try to sway others to our point of view?

Would you mind if I turn the question around and ask you why you criticize?

I remember one time you wrote highly critical response to me about the Genesis album. I was taken aback cause I didn't excepted such a response. This goes back to one of the first time I brought up the album, not the last time I brought up the album. I remember anticipating a positive response but it did not pan out that way. I was shock to say the least cause it wasn't what I expected. I thought since I was a Genesis fan other fans would (you include) would carry some if not most opinions I have of the band, and their music. I play the album every time I bring it up to you, to catch something I don't like about it. I haven't found fault with it yet.

Trollheart · 06-17-2017, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

Would you mind if I turn the question around and ask you why you criticize?

I remember one time you wrote highly critical response to me about the Genesis album. I was taken aback cause I didn't excepted such a response. This goes back to one of the first time I brought up the album, not the last time I brought up the album. I remember anticipating a positive response but it did not pan out that way. I was shock to say the least cause it wasn't what I expected. I thought since I was a Genesis fan other fans would (you include) would carry some if not most opinions I have of the band, and their music. I play the album every time I bring it up to you, to catch something I don't like about it. I haven't found fault with it yet.

If I knew the answer to that, I wouldn't have made this thread. I'm as much in the dark about why I do it as anyone else. I feel there's definitely a sense of superiority - "I am right and you are wrong" - whether justified or not - about it. That does not make me proud, but if I'm honest, yes, I think that's where I come from, at least.

djchameleon · 06-17-2017, 12:34 PM

Are you opposed to constructive criticism in general Trollheart? Do you view that as negative as well.

Trollheart · 06-17-2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elphenor

I say you don't truly love something if you don't hate something else

I hate you.
Discuss.

Neapolitan · 06-18-2017, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

If I knew the answer to that, I wouldn't have made this thread. I'm as much in the dark about why I do it as anyone else. I feel there's definitely a sense of superiority - "I am right and you are wrong" - whether justified or not - about it. That does not make me proud, but if I'm honest, yes, I think that's where I come from, at least.

Interesting. Do you feel a sense of superiority when it comes to matters of Genesis, or in music general? If you feel superior over me in music, I would have no problem with that. I go back to what Aristotle said: 'The more you know, the more you know you don't know.' I realize there is so much to know about music.

I figure why people are critical is that they have a "right and wrong list" (in their mind) about everything. They consciously (or subconsciously) check-off or compare what they see or hear to that list. They have a mental image what an ideal world should be like. They have opinions on how people should act or how something should be. If they see something they believe is wrong they say so, and if they whole-heartily agree they say so too, and they usually do with intend to harm the other persons feeling. To me that is them sharing what they think. I guess some people like to chit-chat, other people like to instruct. I know criticism can become aggressive, or at least seems aggressive even though it was not intended to be. It all depends on the people in the conversation. How people handle themselves goes back the their personality. How and why people act is such a large topic ...

GuD · 06-19-2017, 10:20 AM

To improve.

Duh...

Trollheart · 06-25-2017, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elphenor

I practice tough love Trollheart

You won't like me but someday you'll appreciate me

No I won't.

06-19-2017, 10:20 AM	#39 (permalink)
GuD Dude... What? Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,322	To improve. Duh... __________________ I spit bullets in my feet Every time I speak So I write instead And still people want me dead ~msc

06-16-2017, 04:43 PM	#32 (permalink)
Dylstew Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 1,366	We're all gonna die of climate change pretty soon let's enjoy the end of the world