What makes a good critique? With the internet and social media allowing
anyone with access to voice their thoughts, just about anyone can be critical about a
certain person or topic. Any famous and public personality can be gossiped at.
Of course, that is nothing new. Everyone has commented, made fun,
challenged, argued, or whatever that particular person wanted to do that day since
pretty much the first civilizations where a few people may gather in the back corner
and go on about this or that. But just like everything, there is a limit to these actions
and many go too far in their “critique”.
I put quotes there as to call the average internet user’s complaints, founded or
unfounded, about something to be far from what a critique should be. It should
thoroughly analyze the subject, understand the complexities and nuance, and give
sound judgement about the right, wrong, and indeterminate outcomes of that subject.
Many people on social media, however, simply admonish or praise something
without giving it much thought beyond: “Hey! I do/don’t like this thing because of this
or that and neither should you!”. Sadly, many do simply like or especially dislike
something because someone else said so and whatever argument they had about it.
The sad part is that some people find joy or purpose in disrupting what could
otherwise be a productive discussion. “Cancel culture” have also taken things too far
in that there are people advocating for the canceling of shows, series, or other
projects simply because they don’t like or they don’t truly understand its purpose.
The art of critiquing is an important skill because it gives feedback. It is the
primary driver of a democracy’s check and balance system, it is what tells a
company that their product could improve, it is what tells you what you’ve done good
or bad and what you should probably do. When you learn to cook on your own
through trial and error, you critique yourself. When the food is overcooked, poorly
seasoned, or the ingredients were not ideal; you go over the process and critically
determine where you went wrong, why it went wrong, and what you should do to
rectify it.
That same process should applied when commenting about someone’s
actions, a particular product, a policy, and so many other situations. A good critique
paves the way for a better outcome. But that can only happen when people know
how and do properly critique when the time comes and when they treat the matter
with respect. They don’t see it as above them or below them, they don’t see it as
stupid or pathetic, they regard it with integrity and discipline. Respect is viewing
someone on equal standing as you, as a person like you, and with the same
imperfections as you. No man is a God, only yourself and others around you can
give feedback on your actions.
Suffice it to say, there are too many opinionated and unfounded criticisms on
the internet that are perpetrated by those seeking fun or for purpose that muddy the
waters and prevent civil discussions. That isn’t to say that these discussions don’t
occur but rather this is to bring light an issue that erodes the integrity of a person and
harms their ability to thoroughly and critically think about the nature of a topic in
order to give appropriate and constructive feedback. Civil discourse is very important
as it is the very pillar of understanding situations, mediating conflict, and giving a
good critique.
John Kieth A. Gaganting is an avid reader and writer that loves to explore complex topics about society or capture a scene through words. A fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure novels that also tackle drama, intrigue, and conflict. Hailing from the Philippines where the weather is hot or wet or both. Good food for a good life is what this person likes to say.
"The Facebook Like Stamp" by Denis Dervisevic is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
