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by hashbanged 4426 days ago
I have a criticism. I think most people are not fit to criticize the vast majority of the people they interact with. You are not a mindreader and who the hell are you to judge a stranger or acquaintance in some meaningful way?

If you think you're offending 95% of the people you talk to, then maybe that's some feedback you should consider.

2 comments

This also reminds me of the quote from Heinlein:

Moving parts in rubbing contact require lubrication to avoid excessive wear. Honorifics and formal politeness provide lubrication where people rub together. Often the very young, the untravelled, the naive, the unsophisticated deplore these formalities as "empty," "meaningless," or "dishonest," and scorn to use them. No matter how "pure" their motives, they thereby throw sand into machinery that does not work too well at best.

I feel similarly. Criticism in and of itself is not necessarily of any value. Poignant, timely criticism from someone knowledgeable who possesses a modicum of tact? Much appreciated. The problem with most criticism is that it is just as ignorant and inadequate as its object. Criticism is often completely self-serving, which does not help the recipient improve.