No More Secrets?
Tue, 11 July 2000, 11:27 pmGrant Malcolm23 posts in thread
No More Secrets?
Tue, 11 July 2000, 11:27 pmMaybe it's because I've managed to personally avoid the wrath of the bewhiskered one, but i've not been entirely unappreciative of the commentaries posted under the pseudonym "Secret Squirrel".
I'm not sure whether i find his/her nasty remarks any more or less pleasing, illuminating or fulfilling than some of the occasionally fatuous "the show was fantastic. i loved it" comments that pepper this message board.
Certainly the first couple of commentaries on Butterflies Are Free and Bumpy Angels appeared to be at least partly considered and thought out. The most recent message really seemed to be plumbing the depths of bile though.
I'd like to encourage Squirrel to keep writing critiques - under your real name. You don't need to own up to who you are, that's not my point. I just can't help feeling that if you posted under your own name, you would take a little bit more time rephrasing some of the hasty, nastier things you have said. Not that you should cut out the critical comments, but that you might give them at least a light dusting of icing sugar to help them go down. It would be much harder for people to dismiss you out of hand if you weren't so dismissive yourself. People would still hear your criticisms, but would take them on board more readily if they sense that you have made an effort to understand their difficulties and you share their passion.
Finally, if you really can't find anything positive to say, perhaps it's better to say nothing at all?
Cheers
Grant
I'm not sure whether i find his/her nasty remarks any more or less pleasing, illuminating or fulfilling than some of the occasionally fatuous "the show was fantastic. i loved it" comments that pepper this message board.
Certainly the first couple of commentaries on Butterflies Are Free and Bumpy Angels appeared to be at least partly considered and thought out. The most recent message really seemed to be plumbing the depths of bile though.
I'd like to encourage Squirrel to keep writing critiques - under your real name. You don't need to own up to who you are, that's not my point. I just can't help feeling that if you posted under your own name, you would take a little bit more time rephrasing some of the hasty, nastier things you have said. Not that you should cut out the critical comments, but that you might give them at least a light dusting of icing sugar to help them go down. It would be much harder for people to dismiss you out of hand if you weren't so dismissive yourself. People would still hear your criticisms, but would take them on board more readily if they sense that you have made an effort to understand their difficulties and you share their passion.
Finally, if you really can't find anything positive to say, perhaps it's better to say nothing at all?
Cheers
Grant
RE: No More Secrets?
Thu, 13 July 2000, 12:00 pmWalter Plinge
Oh I give in.
It seems that I am to be hoist upon the petard of political correctness. I have never suggested that anyone not review theatre.
Why has this little debate about constructive criticism turned into a virtual discussion about free speech?
If all reviews are after all "Just opinion" then there can be no rational starting point to discuss just how good a production is.
Either there are are non emotional objective ways to evaluate theatre or there are not.
You either care about what people say or you dont.
I wasn't the one who talked about tests, I simply mentioned that if people expect to be taken seriously when they review something, they should be prepared to be reviewed themselves.
Well now that I seem to have shifted the center of attention from Secret Squirrel to me (pro censorship, down with free speech, treading upon the disadvantaged) which was not my intention.
Should I preface anything I say with "In My Honest Opinion" or can I assume that people can take statements in context.
After all, all of my statements are also opinions. I wont make comments about other peoples shows that I can't back up with reasons for my opinions.
Once again if reviews are just opinions, then why are theatre companies so eager to be judged for the Finlays?
If opinions count for so little, then awards also count for little.
Enough all ready, since I seem to have trouble making myself understood in this public forum, I will take my own counsel for a while.
It seems that I am to be hoist upon the petard of political correctness. I have never suggested that anyone not review theatre.
Why has this little debate about constructive criticism turned into a virtual discussion about free speech?
If all reviews are after all "Just opinion" then there can be no rational starting point to discuss just how good a production is.
Either there are are non emotional objective ways to evaluate theatre or there are not.
You either care about what people say or you dont.
I wasn't the one who talked about tests, I simply mentioned that if people expect to be taken seriously when they review something, they should be prepared to be reviewed themselves.
Well now that I seem to have shifted the center of attention from Secret Squirrel to me (pro censorship, down with free speech, treading upon the disadvantaged) which was not my intention.
Should I preface anything I say with "In My Honest Opinion" or can I assume that people can take statements in context.
After all, all of my statements are also opinions. I wont make comments about other peoples shows that I can't back up with reasons for my opinions.
Once again if reviews are just opinions, then why are theatre companies so eager to be judged for the Finlays?
If opinions count for so little, then awards also count for little.
Enough all ready, since I seem to have trouble making myself understood in this public forum, I will take my own counsel for a while.
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