This post was previously ignorant and hypocritical. Hopefully I can say what I want to say, intelligently, this time around.
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This post is addressed to people on the internet (though it applies to real-world socializing, as well) who, for some reason, insist on insulting people and/or their creative efforts.
If the only thing you can contribute to a discussion is negativity, please leave. If I want to read a long argument about who’s stupid for liking the content, or an ass for telling flamers to stop flaming, then I’ll go read YouTube comments.
I’d like to clarify that I don’t see “I don’t like this,” by itself, as negativity. It’s not particularly constructive, but it’s not insulting, either. You’re being honest, and maybe a little blunt. It’s what you add to it that makes it a good or bad comment.
ALLCAPS and punctuation changes aside (it really is amazing how differently it sounds in our heads when those tools are applied), using words that change the meaning of your sentence from, you personally not liking it, to, the piece itself somehow being inferior, means you are being inconsiderate of the artist’s feelings.
I suppose it’s easy to do this by accident. You write something, and in your own head it sounds critical, but fair and constructive. However, when other people read it, without hearing your voice, or seeing your face, they might see some punk with a sneer on his or her face, laughing about how subtle they are with their insults.
Wow. I think the meaning of this entire blog might be changing. I feel like it’s gone from “Stop being a pretentious jerk. You’re not funny or clever,” to “Post constructively,” to “Type carefully. People don’t always hear it how you say it.” Hell, maybe I’ve been too judgmental all this time. Maybe the people I assumed were trying to be jerks were actually just victims of misunderstandings (though it’s undeniable that some of them were a little more defensive than necessary, and quick to shout insults).
As for a way to turn “I don’t like this,” into a positive comment, try adding, “because…” Maybe, “I don’t like this, because the characters’ outlines are too faint, so I’m having trouble telling them apart from the background.” Or maybe, “I don’t like this, because it uses too much purple, and I have had nightmares about Grimace from McDonald’s since I was 7. Now I’m reminded of them.”
…Maybe you shouldn’t use that second one.
I am getting the About To Start Talking In Circles signal in my brain, so I’ll end it here.
Fu out.
Then there’s the people who say, “No offence, but you suck”. Who could possibly be offended by that? And any potential offence is wiped away by the magic of saying, “No offence”, before you say something offensive!
“With all due respect, you’re an idiot.”
There’re also people who think by not using swears or directly insulting language, they can say condescending things. I hate those people more than the ones who cuss everybody out.
What a rude opening. It’s like the irony has surpassed levels of rudeness and gone full circle into awkward territory.
I guess it is pretty hypocritical, huh? When I get pissed off and need to vent… no. No excuses. I’ve been caught with my foot in my mouth, and I’m not going to try to convince everyone why it was okay for me to do exactly what I was condemning.
While I’m not going to delete this post, I will edit it to try to get my point across without being a tool. Sorry for offending you, Miss Hedgey, and thanks for your input.
It was a joke. I didn’t actually expect you to change the post. Everyone’s entitled to some hypocritical insults now and then for the sake of humour. Anyways, now you’ve reminded me of the evil that is the Grimace you horrible fiend!
I think reading mail addressed to other people is also rude, unless Miss Hedgey is actually one of the aforementioned assholes. I read it, but own my rudeness. I’m sorry assholes of the Internetz, I shouldn’t have read a post that was clearly not intended for me – it was rude of me.
This is why computers need a sarcasm font.
Oh well, at least this version is prettier. Plus, everyone gets to laugh at me now, for my characteristic gullibility. You’re welcome!