[ryan]

I find it really difficult to read such an argument (whether I agree with it or not), if it doesn't come from someone who is actually out there trying to solve these problems himself or herself.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_in_the_Arena

Edit: at least the gladiator image in the post is apt :)

[marshallp]

So you're saying OP isn't allowed to point out that the emperor wears no clothes, or that roger ebert is useless.

[ryan]

Maybe if she was pointing out facts, but this strikes me as an opinion piece and I have a hard time reading this particular opinion unless the author is actually practicing what she preaches.

FWIW I tend to agree with the opinion.

I don't know who roger ebert is so I can't comment on whether he is useless, but I guess he has no relevance to me.

[marshallp]

roger ebert - the most famous and celebrated movie critic in america - he's never made a movie, but writes opinions about movies all day long and is still highly respected