Are you naturally a critic or proponent? Do you tend towards this position with a deal of care and consideration, or is it just something that you'll do blindly?
Myself, I tend towards criticism. I would like to think that it's not a blind criticism, but from my angle it's really hard to say. Then again, I think it's a good deal easier to be intellectually honest and still blindly critical of things. After all, you may fail to see the big picture, but you'll always be able to spot the errors, insignificant or overwhelming. On the other hand, if you're a perpetual proponent, you'll be backing the Titanic as it sinks into the water and praising its great design and wonderful craftsmanship. You'll be right, but you'll tend to be guilty of ignoring the faults in order to see the bright side of life. The reverse is also true I suppose, but I guess I tend to be like my father in assuming that there will always be someone to see the bright side of most things. On the other hand, while there is rarely a dearth of people looking for problems, there will always be that fundamental design flaw that it takes the 300th observer to miss.
I guess what I'm saying in the end is that you really shouldn't be blindly critical or blindly supportive, but it really does help if you keep an eye open for problems. After all, the upside will usually be obvious enough that it'll knock you on your ass and it'll be the problems that are a bit more subtle. Unless it's a failed endeavor, at which point there's not much point looking at the bright side now is there?
Posted by Vengeful Cynic at August 21, 2003 01:09 AM