On Wed, 6 Apr 2005 09:16:02 -0700 (PDT), Gautam Mukunda wrote
As for criticism, I don't object to helpful criticism. But I don't think that's the spirit of most criticism from the left these days, or more generally, of most of the criticism in mass media these days. And those who offer nothing but criticism, as I'm wont to do, are failing to offer alternate vision, which makes their criticism useless.
To a certain extent, yes, but in a way, no.
At one point, my boss wanted us to not point out problems unless we could suggest solutions. I was seeing problems that I had no *clue* as to how to fix (the problem being of the sysadmin sort, not the billing sort), but with that directive in place, I wasn't allowed to bring those up at the weekly meetings. (The rule changed within a month, but it was frustrating for a little while.)
Sometimes the more constructive thing to do is to narrow the focus of the criticism and then say "I'm not sure how to solve this, can we discuss possibilities?" Then kick ideas around and see if something better emerges. (This only works in a group environment, such as a mailing list, and not a solitary environment, such as a column in a periodical.)
Julia _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
