March 12, 2012

• Criticism

  Negging - XKCD - Urban Dictionary - Wikipedia

  I've actually not been very familiar with this concept and ran into it as of last week, courtesy of XKCD.com.  Following a little reading and a couple of fun discussions, I'm writing this discussion on criticism.

  For the purposes of this entry, criticism will relate to criticism of another person, rather than the concept of art criticism or textual criticism or similar, where a critic evaluates the object of criticism, and renders an opinion or valuation.

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  What is the purpose of criticising another purpose?   More often than not, we think of criticizing someone as a fault finding act, though the original eytmology simply relates to evaluation or judging.  As would follow, critical analysis might actually yield favourable observations of another.

  Criticism, at its best, should help the recipient improve.  Careful, objective, yet sympathetic assessment of another person can be very helpful for character development and so forth.  At its best, it can be help another prune away debris from their lives and their habits... at its worst, it can be denigrating, debilitating and fully destructive.

  As a launching point, "negging" is predatory; because the intent of use is to destabilize and manipulate the recipient of criticism.  In fact, the underlying premise of "negging" is to disturb the subconscious, rather than engage the analytical part of the recipient's psyche.  This is plainly egregious.

  On the other hand, it's probable that some people engender insecurity by virtue of their accomplishments/positive qualities...  but a truly great person should not seek to make others feel smaller - rather they should encourage growth and inspire by example.

  There is, thus, an art to constructive criticism, which is redundant, in a sense, as accurate criticism is neither good nor bad, per se, but it is the intent, the delivery, and the nature of the response that determines whether criticism is constructive or destructive.

  How does one constructively criticize?

  From a biblical perspective,

   Matthew 7:1-6

   ¹ “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

     ³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

     ⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

  I think this perspective is invaluable.  One should take care when one criticizes (recall, that the root for criticism is the Fr. Critique, and kritikos, Greek - to Judge, related to krinein - to separate.) as that may be applied to you in a karmic sort of way (and, in a judeo-christian point of view, in a personal way via God's judgment).  Criticism blinded to its own hypocrisy is often inflammatory, rather than salutory to the listener. 

  Verse 6 is interesting as well.  First, if verse 6 is related to 1-5, it would suggest that criticism can be precious.  Indeed, well considered criticism is valuable.  It takes time to think through, for it examines the recipient, considers the problems, and should naturally provide solutions.  It takes effort to really critique another person.  Yet communication requires two parties.

  If the critic gives observations callously, it can be bloody hurtful and damaging.  Thoughtless, ill considered words are like explosives - watch out for the blast.

  On the other hand, even the most assiduously prepared words may be delivered with perfect gentility to a person most adamently opposed to changing or growing.  In that case, the words may be ill-received with no fault on the part of the critic, but wholly because of the stiff-necked attitude of the listener.  Verse 6 suggests that this consideration should be on the mind of the critic as well.

  As a listener to criticism, sometimes the words may be rash, ill-considered, cruel, or even maligning. 

  Yet:

  Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; 
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; 
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. (Proverbs 9:8-9 ESV)

  A truly wise person notes the truth of criticism, even when it is ill-conceived and ill-delivered.  A discerning person can extract areas for growth even in malignant criticism - but best of all when both giver and receiver's aim is to grow and mature and develop.  Indeed, well received reproof can be construed as a form of love...

  The last comment on this topic pertains to this - well fashioned and well aimed criticism can be a very attractive thing to receive.  Being built up is a good thing.

  In a way, it's a form of mercy!

   

  • 1:57 pm
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