Ignore or Correct a Critic?

Alschroeder · Post by **Alschroeder** » Mon May 15, 2006 7:57 am

In general in Internet squabbles, it's better to ignore, or even better yet, to answer without linking back, so they don't get any additional hits. But when a webcomics site called Supercreep posted a paragraph on his front page criticizing my stories while showing how little they understood of what they read, I couldn't resist answering back....

I know, I know, it's a weakness. If he had just sent me an email with those objections, or posted them in my forum (he doesn't seem to have one) I wouldn't have stated it so publicly. But when he puts it directly on his front page---when I see I'm getting hits from that site...well...

Is it petty to react, when someone is obviously misreading what's clearly stated--- or justified?

Or both?

You can go to my front page and see what Supercreep (his name, not mine) said, and my reply, with links.

I try to avoid internet drama, but here I am, falling into the hole again---but I wish he'd just asked rather than accuse me of "duff science"...without justification.

---Al

The Neko · Post by **The Neko** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:07 am

Well, first of all, you have to consider the source. Unless the person is really a good critic, correcting them isn't going to do much other then become a "look what this asshole sent back to me, look at how anal he is" trap. Hook, line, and sinker.

You're better off ignoring these kinds of people, to be honest.

Alschroeder · Post by **Alschroeder** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:25 am

Yeah, you're right. I just earned him free publicity. Oh, well....---Al

CSchaefer · Post by **CSchaefer** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:40 am

alschroeder wrote:Yeah, you're right. I just earned him free publicity. Oh, well....---Al

That's the best reason not to respond to such folks, although it can chafe like burlap underwear. This is the Internet: half the time somebody picks a fight, it's because they want attention. (Or in the case of webcomic fights, reader traffic.)

Guildmaster Van · Post by **Guildmaster Van** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:55 am

I don't know why you worry about it.
He's some guy on the internet some place.

Somebody linked me on SensibleErection.com's board and I got a whole bunch of people commenting negatively on White Hydra. Like really, really mean comments.

Did I respond to them? Did I really care about Anonymous T. Internet?
Nah. Don't you let yourself get thrown off by comments like his.

Linkara · Post by **Linkara** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:55 am

It's really a personal choice. Now, me, I love getting feedback of any kind because I'm an attention whore. Now, I'm also one of those freaks who doesn't like unjust conflict between people. As such, my recommendation is to calmly explain the science behind each of the things he attacked. After reading the posting myself, he didn't appear to be flaming Mindmistress or you too much other than simply calling it "duff science." Again, I say to try to resolve things amicably before jumping too much on the defensive. Now, if he responds to your attempt with unjust hostility (and possibly a flame on his site), then you've got a problem. ^_~

EDIT: Now upon reading your response, I would've cut out "shallow and sloppy reading," Al. ^_~

Christwriter · Post by **Christwriter** » Mon May 15, 2006 12:22 pm

I think there kind of needs to be a balance. Responding to critics is always a negative thing. If the review is bad, it means that they hate it and no amount of explaining is going to make them un-hate it.

I think the most I'd ever say to a critic is if they harp on a point that's going to be corrected/explained/embroidered on later in the story, I would tell them "Be patient, wait and see, and if when I say it's been explained/embroidered, it still doesn't make sense, THEN you can beat me on it. But don't critice that particular point until I've finished with it."

Still, ignorance is bliss and probably ticks them off unto no end.

CW

Kris X · Post by **Kris X** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:20 pm

Bah, don't bother worrying. Trust me--the critic wasn't well done and it could have been worse. Most of all--It wasn't really a critic in my opinion... More or less side commentary.

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Mon May 15, 2006 6:26 pm

I've seen worse. Dunno, but how would you react to some real douchebagery?

Ian Moulding · Post by **Ian Moulding** » Mon May 15, 2006 6:28 pm

Is it a critique, or a criticism?

Critiques can be pretty harsh, but they offer specifics about what the person didn't like and how they feel you can improve your work (And you're always free to ignore the advice). A criticism is a critical - Negative - opinion, and is usually based on 'I don't like this sort of stuff, and here's why other people are wrong for liking it'. Take critiques seriously, ignore criticism.

Bekka · Post by **Bekka** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:16 am

Oh, I always respond to critics.

WITH A CHAINSAW!

Turnsky · Post by **Turnsky** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:35 am

christwriter wrote:I think there kind of needs to be a balance. Responding to critics is always a negative thing. If the review is bad, it means that they hate it and no amount of explaining is going to make them un-hate it.

I think the most I'd ever say to a critic is if they harp on a point that's going to be corrected/explained/embroidered on later in the story, I would tell them "Be patient, wait and see, and if when I say it's been explained/embroidered, it still doesn't make sense, THEN you can beat me on it. But don't critice that particular point until I've finished with it."

Still, ignorance is bliss and probably ticks them off unto no end.

CW

true, i got a rather negative asessment from dan kim of "manga clone army" while i never heard of him before then, i never really responded back, while the single/dual line comments were pathetically amusing, it almost doubled my hits, and earnt me a few more regular readers..

the moral of the story is, on the internet, there is no such thing as bad publicity.

Beyonder_alpha · Post by **Beyonder_alpha** » Tue May 16, 2006 7:32 am

Only one possible response should be given to people like that
"your crotch, my foot, they should meet."
Anything more and you're wasting your time on them really :/

Captainclover · Post by **Captainclover** » Tue May 16, 2006 8:05 am

i have that weakness too... no matter how stupid i know it is, i always feel the need to respond if i feel they're being unjust.

i recently got some feedback that was just general "i don't like the art" so i asked for constructive criticism and all they said was "drawings not your strongpoint" really pissed me off... but then i thought about it and realized people like that really aren't worth my time. anyone who claims to be an artist and can't even offer constructive criticism... well, there's something wrong with them. i don't know whether it's jealousy or what, but people shouldn't just aim to bring other people down like that. the only way to get better is to keep working at something.

i think if his points are that ignorant, other people will notice this as well. and besides.. free publicity? i can't imagine people would be that loyal to this guy that they follow the link and still only see what that guy said. people are going to make up their own minds about whether or not they like something.

Prettysenshi · Post by **Prettysenshi** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:32 am

All the criticism I ever got was constructive, in terms of online criticism. The only time that I get upset about critics is when they ask or tell me dumb things.

For example:

Art Teacher: "That's an.....okay picture."
Me: "Um.....thanks, sir?" O_o
AT: "It's not realistic though, and blah blah"
Me: "It's not meant to be. I'm just doodling for fun."
AT: "You should try and be more realistic."
Me: "But I'm not going for that style of art, sir."
AT: "But realistic is better."
Me: "Fine, whatever

."

and

I'm drawing a picture, and the way that I draw is that I do the outline of the body, and then fill it in, leaving the details of the face for last.

Random Person: "Hey, you can draw."
Me: "Thank you."
RP: "Ewwww, why she naked??"
Me: "She's not. I'm not done drawing yet."
RP: "You gay! You drawing naked girls. Ewww."
Me: "Dude, she doesn't even had a head or one of her arms. And there are no details on her body. Why would you think she's naked?"
RP: ":explicative:"
Me:

Things that like annoy me. Instead of really looking at what I drew, they glance at it, and make silly and sometimes rude comments, as if they know better than I do. I can't stand that. So, when people compliment me, I say thank you. When they don't, I try not to respond. It might be hard at first, but like what some CGers taught me early on, you have to develop a thick skin when it comes to criticism.

Blackaby · Post by **Blackaby** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:33 am

I accept the critics who pay me.

I correct the critics who I don't know, or are friends, but get me wrong.

I ignore the critics of people I know, but don't give a shit about.

Kris X · Post by **Kris X** » Tue May 16, 2006 11:16 am

blackaby wrote:I accept the critics who pay me.

Where are these critics?

Jackhass · Post by **Jackhass** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:35 pm

If it's fair and valid criticism, then there's no need to correct them.

But if they're totally and utterly mis-representing your work then it's totally fair to set them straight.

The Neko · Post by **The Neko** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:05 pm

prettysenshi2k6 wrote:All the criticism I ever got was constructive, in terms of online criticism. The only time that I get upset about critics is when they ask or tell me dumb things.

For example:

Art Teacher: "That's an.....okay picture."
Me: "Um.....thanks, sir?" O_o
AT: "It's not realistic though, and blah blah"
Me: "It's not meant to be. I'm just doodling for fun."
AT: "You should try and be more realistic."
Me: "But I'm not going for that style of art, sir."
AT: "But realistic is better."
Me: "Fine, whatever ."

I'd say this is one of those times you shouldn't be ignoring criticism. In the realm of art instruction "style" is typically a student's excuse at either not being able to fulfill the assignment, or being stubborn in not wanting to learn anything new.

Things that like annoy me. Instead of really looking at what I drew, they glance at it, and make silly and sometimes rude comments, as if they know better than I do. I can't stand that. So, when people compliment me, I say thank you. When they don't, I try not to respond. It might be hard at first, but like what some CGers taught me early on, you have to develop a thick skin when it comes to criticism.

There's a difference between developing thick skin and ignoring criticism. You have to have a filter that is more than "accept all good comments" and "ignore all negative comments". Half-assed good compliments can be just as damaging, if not moreso, than unfounded criticism.

Phact0rri · Post by **Phact0rri** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:52 pm

critism is very important to me. Yes I get some unfounded things people say about my works, but even if it seems in error, that means I am doing something wrong. I have not explained myself well enough, or that I need to work on my delievery.

Sure there are times when I feel I've wasted my time giving it any thought. but there needs to be something of an attempt, least to me as the guy wasted a few good hours ripping on the way my comic is cliche or something.. I'd at least like to give him/her a bit of my time to unmask what they really mean.

course I have a pretty thick skin I guess.