#Importance of Criticism
5 messages in this thread
Yes, some are certainly!
However, many critics aren't. Many critics have had profound influence on
the state of art. Read Alexander Pope's "Essay on Criticism" or Samuel
Johnson's criticism. Samuel Johnson actually was able to propell poetry into
the kind of study that it is today, and to validate it as an important art
form. His own poetry is horrible.
"essay on criticism" proposes that the critic is able to show insights into
works, alert authors of weaknesses for them to improve, and bring attention to
important deficiencies and benefits of a particular work.
Personally I think he is right, and that it applies to computer software
(including WorkBench and everything else we've discussed here.)
I think it's important to the users, the programmers, and the entire computer
useage base.
For the most part, critics only do so to see their name in lights while bashing
or approving someone else. Ego gratification (see Rex Reade of ST Report
infamy).
-sja
I agree with the fact that there are MANY "bad" critics, as per your
definition. I 1Mo agree with your example. (grin)
But I do not agree with the generalization "for the most part."
I think that there are far fewer good critics in computerdom than in other
places like painting and writing.
Witness Antic, the review of E! in AmigaWorld, and the weaknesses of a major
review of Jet and Interceptor in a recent Amazing Computing. I don't know why
there is such a great void of good computer software critics.
Products of engineering don't need Samuel Johnson type "critics," they need
Ralph Nader type "consumer reporters." I want to know "Does the worksheet add
numbers up correctly? Do the Galagans show any signs of adapting to the
player's strategy? Does pushing forward on the joystick nose the Transformer
down?"
There's no role for Angst or Epatez le Bourgeiosie in software/hardware
reviews. It's strictly does the gadgetry wink and grin according to
documentation.
An engineer reads Hamlet and says "If he was so doggone depressed, why didn't
he just go for a long walk in the woods? Denmark's beautiful in the summer.
Yer Dad's dead, can't bring him back, just Get Over It, Hamlet, stop brooding
about it, or go get drunk, but geez lighten up before you drive your uncle
nuts." The engineer is Missing The Point.
A poet installs a hard disk and says
"Given that human beings, after four
billion years
of continual trial and error
on the immense gamefield of evolutionary biology,
Still Sicken,
It is hardly surprising that this drive,
Younger by Far than the species that made it,
Spends more time in the Hospital
Than in Read/Write mode;
And it is leisurely, so very, very leisurely …
The poet is Missing The Point, as well.
Yup, you don't have to be an artist to be a critic. I may not be able to design
a car body for example, but I can sure look at one and tell you it's ugly as
all get out.