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(no subject)
Aug. 30th, 2004 07:31 pmrandom
I think the idea of using "constructive" criticism as a weapon is just disgusting. Grammar is a really great way to feel better about yourself. I admit this. It's really fun to mock people for ending their sentences with prepositions, or employing the word "aggravate" inappropriately. Usually no one gets hurt when it comes to grammar, though, because errors are easily fixed and knowledge of grammar doesn't really reflect anything besides...knowledge of grammar.
Constructive criticism should be a much more thoughtful process, wherein the critiquer genuinely wants to help the other person improve their writing. This is almost impossible to do in a group setting, in my opinion, unless the group is extremely mature. I've never in my life encountered an extremely mature group. Group dynamics and the dynamics involved in critcism/being a good reader or writer are not all that compatible. Someone will be singled out. Remember that scene in Wonder Boys where James is reading his story and his peers are "critiquing" it? It's pretty damn hard to work past that stage, even when you're not in a group setting. And it's pretty damn easy to, under the pretense of critique, take potshots at people. Easy and cheap.
And my car broke down yesterday and I ended up at a church.
That is all.
/random
I think the idea of using "constructive" criticism as a weapon is just disgusting. Grammar is a really great way to feel better about yourself. I admit this. It's really fun to mock people for ending their sentences with prepositions, or employing the word "aggravate" inappropriately. Usually no one gets hurt when it comes to grammar, though, because errors are easily fixed and knowledge of grammar doesn't really reflect anything besides...knowledge of grammar.
Constructive criticism should be a much more thoughtful process, wherein the critiquer genuinely wants to help the other person improve their writing. This is almost impossible to do in a group setting, in my opinion, unless the group is extremely mature. I've never in my life encountered an extremely mature group. Group dynamics and the dynamics involved in critcism/being a good reader or writer are not all that compatible. Someone will be singled out. Remember that scene in Wonder Boys where James is reading his story and his peers are "critiquing" it? It's pretty damn hard to work past that stage, even when you're not in a group setting. And it's pretty damn easy to, under the pretense of critique, take potshots at people. Easy and cheap.
And my car broke down yesterday and I ended up at a church.
That is all.
/random
