the critic

Colin J Allen colin at CALLEN18.FREESERVE.CO.UK
Thu Aug 28 10:17:25 EDT 2003


I also feel that your geology analogy misses the point; we are discussing
criticism of performance and ability of an artist, not criticism of opinion
and argument; that is a completely different domain where specialised
knowledge is important and criticism made without it is less valid than
criticism made with it.  I hope that you see the difference between the two.
While I feel free to criticise an artist on their performance or ability, I
do not feel free to criticise arguments and opinions unless I have at least
a good working knowledge of the subject.

Colin

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----- Original Message -----
From: "DRider" <Farflung at COMCAST.NET>
To: <BOC-L at LISTSERV.ISPNETINC.NET>
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2003 12:59 PM
Subject: Off: the critic


> previously I said:
>
> > The term is CREDIBLE. An experienced person by definition is more
credible
> > than an inexperienced person.
>
> also the analogy you use between Ozzy and Dio is one I already used before
> this topic of "critic" ever came up.
>
> I did not say that "a person"  ANY person could not criticize.......
>
> I just said a person that has had the experiences themselves
> may have more credibility than a person who has not had those
> experiences. And personally, I think a person that gets out and does "it"
> has a bit more room to talk than a person who just sits around talking
> about doing it......hence the armchair......
>
> I am a licensed professional geologist......
>
> next, you will be telling me that your arguments on evolution theory (for
> example) are just as credible as mine
>
> sure maybe you are well versed on this specific topic through your own
> personal hobbies and education - but chances are - you are not - which is
> the point
>
> I have run sound for bands a time or two, but I don't think that I have
had
> the experience or the knowledge that you have on the topic. Therefore, you
> are probably more credible on that topic which would give you the
potential
> to criticize another soundman's performance more than me. Sure I could say
> that the mix needs more vocals etc, but you might know the brand of mixer
> etc that was being used and be able to go into much more fine detail than
me
> or even walk up to the mixer itself and turn a few knobs to fix the
> problem....
>
> if you were running sound at a show - I certainly would not walk up and
tell
> you how to do your job
>
> just as you would not try to criticize one of my technical reviews written
> on the migration of a groundwater chlorinated solvent plume
>
> D
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Colin J Allen" <colin at CALLEN18.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 5:15 PM
> Subject: Re: Dio (also somewhat LONG)
>
>
> > Having waded through Darrin's post, I would like to reply to the few
> > substantive points contained therein:
> >
> > 1. Having listed 3 definitions of "critic", you choose to ignore
> definition
> > a), which is surely the most relevant here and have decided that most
> people
> > on this list "indulge in faultfinding and censure".  An interesting
> > conclusion but, unfortunately, one that is not supported by the
evidence;
> > read, for example, Jill's post on the Alfresco Mantis/Harvey/MQB gig.
> >
> > 2. Your arguments around the subject of criticism: I am rather surprised
> > that you do not seem to be able to see that criticism (as per definition
> a))
> > can be applied by people who have not performed at the same level as the
> > person or people being criticised.  Let us examine an example based
around
> > two Black Sabbath vocalists: Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio.  As a
> > non-singer myself, it is apparent to me that, as a singer, Dio is better
> (in
> > absolute terms) than Ozzy at the art of singing (does Ozzy actually
> sing?).
> > That is an act of criticism by a non-singing, non-performing observer
and
> is
> > based on a knowledge of the art of singing. Why do I need to have
> performed
> > on stage in front of 20000 people to draw that conclusion?
> >
> > On a lighter note, in reply to your analogy with sports commentators, I
> will
> > only say "Mark Lawrenson"!  This will probably be lost on all
non-Brits:).
> >
> > Colin
>



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