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?
Wed, 12 July 2000, 02:02 pmWalter Plinge
I thoroughly agree with all that you have said, Gary. I believe I wrote something of a similar effect to the Squirrel itself not too long ago and was told I was being an elitist snob. Maybe I am. But at least the 'elite' are capable of informed opinions.
(By the way, there's NO WAY I consider myself to be elite. I am, after all, just an amateur...)
Anyone can write about a show they have seen and call it a review. Anyone is free to post their opinions on the reviews page. But my biggest point is, how can you consider it a review unless you know the reviewer understands the show and knows what they are talking about? To me, an uninformed 'review' is JUST an opinion. I have no problems with people's opinions but when it is just that, they have no right to trash a show so agressively. They simply do not know what they are talking about.
I think what we are getting down to now is the difference between an INFORMED REVIEW and OPINION. I would say, personally, that I found SS's post on our show insulting simply because he obviously didn't understand the style. He also made odd suggestions for cutting out sections that were essential parts of the script itself. At no point did I say he had no right to dislike the show. If somebody with a little experience and knowledge also said they didn't like the show, I would have no problem with that. However, the person with knowledge and experience I would TRUST to make suggestions and offer advice.
As I said before, I don't care if you thought the show was crap or if you thought the show was good. Tell me WHY it was crap or WHY it was good and BACK IT UP. While studying Literature we were always told to back up any statements we make with evidence from the text and our supportable, informed background knowledge.
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste".
~* Tracey.
(By the way, there's NO WAY I consider myself to be elite. I am, after all, just an amateur...)
Anyone can write about a show they have seen and call it a review. Anyone is free to post their opinions on the reviews page. But my biggest point is, how can you consider it a review unless you know the reviewer understands the show and knows what they are talking about? To me, an uninformed 'review' is JUST an opinion. I have no problems with people's opinions but when it is just that, they have no right to trash a show so agressively. They simply do not know what they are talking about.
I think what we are getting down to now is the difference between an INFORMED REVIEW and OPINION. I would say, personally, that I found SS's post on our show insulting simply because he obviously didn't understand the style. He also made odd suggestions for cutting out sections that were essential parts of the script itself. At no point did I say he had no right to dislike the show. If somebody with a little experience and knowledge also said they didn't like the show, I would have no problem with that. However, the person with knowledge and experience I would TRUST to make suggestions and offer advice.
As I said before, I don't care if you thought the show was crap or if you thought the show was good. Tell me WHY it was crap or WHY it was good and BACK IT UP. While studying Literature we were always told to back up any statements we make with evidence from the text and our supportable, informed background knowledge.
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste".
~* Tracey.
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