I wish people didn’t think the word fail was a noun
Taylor Swift might be right about something.
Wow! Never expected to write that in a serious essay. Just to reassure people, I’m not talking about her music or choice of clothing. But there really are so many people out there, especially internet trolls, who take perverse delight in ripping down what others create. This concerns me.
I have seen it in my classrooms, online and in my social circles. The language of, “Epic fail,” etc. Mistakes and failures should be seen as positive processes that build towards a goal. Instead they are often viewed as deeply embarrassing. In addition to this, criticism is a now a reality for anyone that wants to share their talents with the public. Sometimes criticism can be helpful in fine tuning a piece of work. On a personal level, I’m indebted to a good friend of mine for several pieces of useful criticism she gave me as I was setting up this website. Unfortunately not all criticism is constructive and made with the best interests of the creator (the work’s creator, not God) in mind. Social media makes it very easy for angry, anonymous, unfulfilled critics to say things they would never say to a person’s face.
There are many creative people in this world who will keep their abilities to themselves or share them with only a select few trusted friends. Why? Because when you invest your energy and creativity into some kind of work, you give it a personal value. When you hold it up for society to share and receive gleefully harsh criticism, it hurts. When you are sharing your passion, you often have to drop your defences and there is no way of shielding yourself behind feigned ambivalence. So instead, many people will not risk the hurt and instead keep their talents to themselves. This is a tragedy because we desperately need the people with talent and creativity to share it.
To the critics
We already live in a world that seems starved of original ideas. Just look at the stream of copycat reality TV programs the networks churn out, the near-identical pop songs and the constant sequels and reboots of popular movies- often adapted from older books and comics. Being creative isn’t easy. Being critical is. Remember that the next time you criticise the work of others. Do you have the courage, creativity and ability to do better? If no, do you really have the credibility to be a critic? If yes, why haven’t you?
Before you indignantly tell me that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and to voice it if they choose, just engage your empathy and consider this. You do not know the effect your criticism may have on others. As I have discussed elsewhere, you do not get to choose how your criticism is interpreted, but you are still responsible for the words you use, which makes you at least partially responsible for any hurt that they cause, whether intended or not.
This is not to say we have to walk on egg shells around creative people and tell them we love their work when we don’t. We can give fair feedback on what we didn’t like that may actually help improve their work. However, if we are compassionate humans, we do need to temper the derision and disdain we throw at something that could be very meaningful to its creator.
To the criticised
There are a number of recent projects I would never have started, including this website, if I worried too much about the criticism I would receive. Whatever your skills- writing, music, art- be proud of it and don’t hide it. The 90% of society that can’t create themselves rely on the creativity of people like you for their consumption habits. They won’t all like it. Statistically, it would seem pretty likely that your work can appeal to all tastes, so be realistic in the type of feedback you might expect, but don’t let that stop you.
I think we could also listen to the words of Oscar Wilde, who once said, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” I contend that it is better that people are experiencing your creativity and forming opinions about it, than for your art to be ignored or undiscovered. In the rich diaspora of individual tastes, it is almost a given that some will not appreciate your work, but don’t assume the loudest critic represents all views.
In 100 words or less
It would be a dull world without people with creativity and the courage to share it. Whether it is to your taste or not, think twice about what kind of feedback you give people when they do dare to share of publish it. For those of you with a talent you have been hiding, please don’t let it remain unexpressed. There are many people out there who do want to experience your talents and originality. At the same time, know that some of the responses you will receive may be negative. And if you do fall foul of criticism that may seem harsh or unfair, borrow a line from Ms Swift and Shake it off.
Wow! Never expected to write that in a serious essay. Just to reassure people, I’m not talking about her music or choice of clothing. But there really are so many people out there, especially internet trolls, who take perverse delight in ripping down what others create. This concerns me.
I have seen it in my classrooms, online and in my social circles. The language of, “Epic fail,” etc. Mistakes and failures should be seen as positive processes that build towards a goal. Instead they are often viewed as deeply embarrassing. In addition to this, criticism is a now a reality for anyone that wants to share their talents with the public. Sometimes criticism can be helpful in fine tuning a piece of work. On a personal level, I’m indebted to a good friend of mine for several pieces of useful criticism she gave me as I was setting up this website. Unfortunately not all criticism is constructive and made with the best interests of the creator (the work’s creator, not God) in mind. Social media makes it very easy for angry, anonymous, unfulfilled critics to say things they would never say to a person’s face.
There are many creative people in this world who will keep their abilities to themselves or share them with only a select few trusted friends. Why? Because when you invest your energy and creativity into some kind of work, you give it a personal value. When you hold it up for society to share and receive gleefully harsh criticism, it hurts. When you are sharing your passion, you often have to drop your defences and there is no way of shielding yourself behind feigned ambivalence. So instead, many people will not risk the hurt and instead keep their talents to themselves. This is a tragedy because we desperately need the people with talent and creativity to share it.
To the critics
We already live in a world that seems starved of original ideas. Just look at the stream of copycat reality TV programs the networks churn out, the near-identical pop songs and the constant sequels and reboots of popular movies- often adapted from older books and comics. Being creative isn’t easy. Being critical is. Remember that the next time you criticise the work of others. Do you have the courage, creativity and ability to do better? If no, do you really have the credibility to be a critic? If yes, why haven’t you?
Before you indignantly tell me that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and to voice it if they choose, just engage your empathy and consider this. You do not know the effect your criticism may have on others. As I have discussed elsewhere, you do not get to choose how your criticism is interpreted, but you are still responsible for the words you use, which makes you at least partially responsible for any hurt that they cause, whether intended or not.
This is not to say we have to walk on egg shells around creative people and tell them we love their work when we don’t. We can give fair feedback on what we didn’t like that may actually help improve their work. However, if we are compassionate humans, we do need to temper the derision and disdain we throw at something that could be very meaningful to its creator.
To the criticised
There are a number of recent projects I would never have started, including this website, if I worried too much about the criticism I would receive. Whatever your skills- writing, music, art- be proud of it and don’t hide it. The 90% of society that can’t create themselves rely on the creativity of people like you for their consumption habits. They won’t all like it. Statistically, it would seem pretty likely that your work can appeal to all tastes, so be realistic in the type of feedback you might expect, but don’t let that stop you.
I think we could also listen to the words of Oscar Wilde, who once said, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” I contend that it is better that people are experiencing your creativity and forming opinions about it, than for your art to be ignored or undiscovered. In the rich diaspora of individual tastes, it is almost a given that some will not appreciate your work, but don’t assume the loudest critic represents all views.
In 100 words or less
It would be a dull world without people with creativity and the courage to share it. Whether it is to your taste or not, think twice about what kind of feedback you give people when they do dare to share of publish it. For those of you with a talent you have been hiding, please don’t let it remain unexpressed. There are many people out there who do want to experience your talents and originality. At the same time, know that some of the responses you will receive may be negative. And if you do fall foul of criticism that may seem harsh or unfair, borrow a line from Ms Swift and Shake it off.