This thread is inspired by another: view original post
[url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/criticism]Criticism is defined as the "the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything."[/url]
Criticism is found everywhere, particularly in the literary world. I love critique as it allows for judgement of ideas and arguments based on universal standards (regardless of what these standards may or may not be). Ever so often, however, there comes a person who cannot take criticism and fault finding, and so they respond in a brash, immature, and irrational method because of their emotions. As Northrop Frye would state, the emotional response is very dangerous if kept out of check.
I quote, from his Massey Lectures on the Educated Imagination: "We tend to look down on the person who responds to such appeals emotionally: we feel he's behaving childishly and like an irresponsible citizen if he allows himself to be stampeded. Of course there's often a great sense of release in a purely emotional response. Hitler represented to Germany a tremendous release from its frustrations and grievances by simply acting like a three year old child: when he wanted something he went into a tantrum and screamed and chewed the scenery until he got it. But that example shows how dangerous the emotional response is."
So, as we can see, the emotional response is definitely scary, but points to a more tragic figure for the exhibitor. While we may also respond with the more emotional side our educated and social imaginations to people like this, we must take into account the personality of the exhibitor as well, and treat them accordingly.
Therefore, I must conclude with a piece of advice: Remember that especially when masked with anonymity, the emotional response can often overcome rationale. Instead of responding with hostility, we may have a chance to convince the exhibitor to stop. Should that fail, we must take into account the sad, tragic person that may be sitting on the other side of his or her computer screen, and act accordingly.
Regardless of what a person exhibits, it's useless to base a conclusion of the measure of their character on internet posts- however, help can be applied to improving their [i]personas.[/i]
It's not all difficult.
And maybe, it never is.
-
ITT: pseudo-intellectuals
-
Edited by TheBiggerBang97: 10/6/2013 1:49:27 PM[quote] it's useless to base a conclusion of the measure of their character on internet posts[/quote] Actually, I think you may actually be able to measure their character better on the internet. In real life, rational people stop themselves from doing or saying things when those things are inappropriate (for example: you might swear around your friends, but would you ever repeat any of that around your grandmother?) Thus, you're not getting an accurate representation of the person's character, because they're holding themselves back to protect their reputation. But on the internet, where everyone is more or less anonymous, those inhibitions disappear. You can act however you want with no fear of damaging your reputation. And when people are able to react instinctively and emotionally to situations, their true personality comes forth. I guess it would all depend on what you believe the definition of character is: one could argue that a person is defined by the decisions they make in life, in which case their actions based on rational decisions would define their character. But then wouldn't their decision to act irrationally online also count? I think I'm basically thinking out loud at this point instead of actually arguing anything.
-
What promoted this post to be written?
-
My critique is that, this is too short for a book, but too long for a thread.
-
-0/10 terrible thread
-
So when did godzilla become intellectual?
-
You suck.
-
Again, proving you [i]are[/i] one of the greatest users on Bnet.
-
Edited by die wily: 10/6/2013 2:19:01 AMcriticism presupposes merit and is thus guided by ephemeral preference and bias, not reason
-
[quote]sad, tragic person[/quote] >.> ... k
-
tl;dr people are morons.
-
Tl;dr Jk, great post. More people around here should probably read it.
-
2academic4me