I just started thinking about this as I was going over the poetry competition entrees again. For almost all of the poems, I looked for something positive I could potentially say. However, in my head, I or course noticed flaws in most of them... but I didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings, so I kept those thoughts to myself. So my question is, where does the cutoff point lie between constructive criticism and unnecessary negativity? To put this in context - over the last couple years, I've posted extensively on both a hip-hop and a poetry forum. When I respond to pieces in those enviroments, I am MUCH harsher... because that's the focus of the forums and it's all about improving. But it seemed to me, that the point of this forum is Starcraft and it would be kinda overkill to start analyzing ppl's poems, when it most likely is their first time submitting something to this wide of an audience. Thoughts? Is it better in the big picture to be brutally honest? Or is having fun more important? etc... Bonus 500 minerals for a great thread
Well, of course having fun is really important. But sometimes it is better to be brutally honest than seeing something not improve. I'll quote competitions. When it comes to competitions, it all comes down to how well or how poor this individual does. When he does something poorly, you don't just be quiet and not let the individual know his flaws. You tell him his weaknesses and suggest at the same time your opinions on what's best for him. It is up to the individual if he approves it or not, and if he takes it positively or negatively. Of course, a positive response from an individual is good which will make him realize his faults and finds ways to improve himself. But sometimes it is also good to take it negatively. For example, if I took your brutally violent criticisms negatively, I MIGHT take it personally and better myself just to prove that what you said is false about me. I think I'm saying too much random things. ;D Criticisms is important on helping an individual to have a better understanding of himself. It all depends on the type of criticism of the critic and the response of the person. But what's the use of improvement if you don't even enjoy what you're doing? That would also lead to a boring and useless life. It is also sometimes worse than not improving at all. My point? Don't always focus on only one thing. Always keep things balanced. Enjoy! And when someone dislikes you, take it as a challenge, and not an insult. Bonus 300 minerals for a great post
good on you nate, doesn't matter how your comments are interpreted, the least you are doing is taking your time trying to helping others
Being brutally honest will make you seem like an ass, so? If you read all of the posts on the competitions a two or three posts>the other couple hundred. The other couple hundred were a complete waste of words some barely showing support or just saying <333333333, what's the point of that? If I submit something on a forum I expect people to criticize me, either being nice or mean it doesn't matter as long as I can walk away with something. If you don't want to be criticized and only want glowing warm hearts from everyone don't post it on the internet and go show your parents or your grade school teacher. If you want to get better at whatever you're doing, post it on the internet and take the blows as they come so you can learn and better yourself. Why waste a post going "OMG U SOO GOOD!!! I WISH I LIKE YOU!" Sure tell them what you like, but there is always something that bothers you, point it out.
there are a lot of people with too much negativity when it comes to idea suggestions, all they say is either it does not have the starcraft "feel" or it would be imbalanced. they should be commenting on the ideas/mechanics themselves, not balance issues, let blizzard take care of balance.
had nothing to do with paragon - I haven't seen anything from the guy to make me form any opinion of him... the thread was started for the reason I said it was - I held back at first from giving real feedback out of concern for ppls feelings - and I wanted to get a few opinions on that
You should not be afraid to give your opinion. Just don't be an ass about it. Give reasons for your opinon and what you think can be improved as well as any redeeming factors of the item
Hmm... I would think the main difference would lie in whether or not a person is qualified to GIVE criticism. For example, if you won a Pulitzer Prize or write (successfully) scripts for a living, then your qualified to give advice on writing, and thus qualified to give criticism. Another example: Person A makes a map. Person B and Person C do not like the map. Person B has no experience with maps, but Person C has won several map contests. When Person B tells Person A of the various flaws in his map, Person A will probably think he doesn't have the right to give advice. Thus, Person B is simply complaining. Person C, however, has the experience to actually give helpful advice, and thus his words would be considered criticism. Of course, there’s always a fine line between coaching and bitching... Edit: That DOESN'T mean Person B would give bad advice, but the odds his advice is pure opinion are much higher. And, lets be honest, how many people give a damn about other people's opinions? I imagine the thoughts go a bit like this: http://achewood.com/index.php?date=08012005
Does winning several tournies on both hip-hop and poetry sites (one with hundreds of thousands of registered members, several with tens of thousands, and several more with "mere" thousands), in a variety of styles, qualify? Or is the Pulitzer Prize necessary?
@ shadow. So you are saying that since I have never written a book then I have no idea what it should contain? Since I have never made a Starcraft map I am incapable of telling the maker that the player in base 1 could use another entrance so that player 2 can actually get in to kill player 1? Remember books are not written for other writer they are written for EVERYONE therefore EVERYONE should give their thoughts on what could make it better Same with maps
