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Criticism Who has the right to judge?

#1   Lightning Star 

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    Posted 09 January 2008 - 12:54 AM

    Lately, I've been looking around at life, especially the media and society (if you want to call that life). It seems like now-a-days, everyone is pointing the finger, and putting people on a scale and judging their performance like there are certian people out there who are "gods" and act it's their place to judge everyone else. For example: music and movie critics. I hear this line all the time on previews for movies:

    "Criticts give it two thumbs up!"

    Yet, I'll read in a magazine a review for the movie, and their critics give the movie two thumbs down. A perfectly good movie can be "too cliché" just because other people have made movies like it.

    And then there's "America's Next Top Model". I haven't wasted a brain cell on that show yet, simply because it DISGUSTS me to hear idiots judge girls for how anorexic they are or not. In order for a person to be perfect in this world, or so the "critics" say, they have to have flawless skin, a perfectly symmetrical face, must be tall and muscular (guys) or be thing with big boobs (girls), and just be living barbie dolls (that includes Ken too, guys ^_^)

    But honestly, do any of these so called "critics" live up to these standards? No, they're just normal imperfect human beings like everyone else on this world. I find it quite saddening that the media has put so much emphasis on making people dissatisfied with themselves because they can never reach perfection.

    So really, do critics have any right to judge? What's the point of criticism? Why do humans feel the need to criticize others? Is it just me, or is it wrong that criticism has become an art?

    #2   Split Infinity 

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      Posted 09 January 2008 - 02:48 AM

      Any person will instinctively criticise the flaws of the world in the hope that things will change for the better. It's only human for us to want more and more, in order to achieve a perfect world for ourselves. In fact, a lot of criticism is just peer pressure, driven by our instinct to fit in. To go with the flow.

      ~ 2996 ~

      #3   Laharl 

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        Posted 09 January 2008 - 06:31 AM

        critics are supposedly experts in their chosen field, but a lot of them simply write want the public wants to hear making them beyond pointless

        i dont believe a word from mainstream critics as they're all overpayed pompous pricks

        what really gets me about the judge shows is the ratings they get, you've got to have brain damage to get any remote enjoyment from that ****

        go off my own intuition 90% of the time, and if i'm wanting a more in depth look i'll use specialist media or just ask people of similar interests

        #4   TheEnglishman 

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          Posted 09 January 2008 - 08:59 AM

          In my opinion, a review from a critic isn't that helpful. It's unlikely that your thoughts about a movie will be exactly the same as theirs. Everybody's opinion differs, which is why a see a critic is one of the strangest jobs in the world.

          #5   Caael 

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            Posted 09 January 2008 - 09:48 AM

            Everybody has their own opinion, so why go to see a movie a critic gave 5 stars when it's a chick flick that you dont like anyway?

            #6   Dudeus Maximus 

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              Posted 09 January 2008 - 05:53 PM

              Well, Criticism is good when it's constructive. As in, when the comments, gripes, and suggestions will actually help what's being criticized actually be improved. Sadly enough, people's opinion's on what's perfect are not only often flawed, but heavily susceptible to the influence of the mass media. It makes me pretty sad actually.

              For instance, I saw this one Bally Total Fitness commercial, where this one lady, and by this one lady I mean this HOT chick, full-figured buxom goddess-ly figure, looking at herself in a full-length mirror and looking rather dissappointed, and then it goes on to this whole "try bally total fitness today" bull****. Every time I see that commercial I am ENRAGED at the state of today's public view of beauty.

              I mean, quite honestly, I do NOT find walking bones attractive. If I can see a girl's ribs and she's NOT sucking her gut in, it's a turnoff... I mean, I'd call myself a lover of women of all shapes and sizes(except spherical... that's not attractive either.) Why can't we be like Hawaiians? They love big women, and the bigger the woman, the hotter to them.

              I have a friend, no multiple friends, who insist they're hideous when just about everyone around them happens to think they're stinkin' beautiful. It pisses me off that the standards in this country(and thanks to globalization, soon the whole world!) are so stupid and unattainable that everyone's killing themselves for goals they'll never achieve. The anorexic girl will never be skinny enough, the body builder will never be buff enough, the tycoon will never be rich enough, and the politician will never be powerful enough.

              I think this all ties in to the nature of people's criticism. I mean, people just look for flaws in other people's work, to the point that it's not criticism anymore. It's just people's way of hiding from their own flaws by attacking other people's weak points, and I think that's some bull**** that needs to end for this society to be able to pull its overly inflated head out of its slowly hemorrhaging ass.

              Edit: Yeah, sorry about hijacking your topic with my super circular logic rant of doom... hehe.

              #7   Split Infinity 

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                Posted 09 January 2008 - 08:39 PM

                Am I the only person here who thinks that women with abs are hideous?

                #8   kate 

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                  Posted 09 January 2008 - 08:46 PM

                  No, you're not the only one. It's just not natural.

                  Speaking of not natural, unfortunately that's the entire point, at least when it comes to beauty. Skinny girls aren't thought to be pretty because a bunch of random critics decided so. A couple hundred years ago, for instance, plump women were thought to be gorgeous (just look at any old painting of nekkid ladies) because it was rare for a woman to be plump (only the extremely rich were well fed enough to ever become overweight, so it was actually not the norm). That's exactly the reason why now skinny is in, because it shows a certain trait of that person (in this generation it's more common for people to be plump, so skinniness shows attention is paid to the self).

                  Really it all comes down to bio *glee* We will forever be attracted to the mate with the best characteristics, even if it is subconcious, and unfortunately it's now become skinny girls, because grooming is important in the animal kingdom.

                  In that sense we've kinda screwed ourselves over on the reproductive front because a girl has to have a certain percentage of body fat to be fertile, soooo our hormones are stupid.

                  BIO RULES.

                  #9   Eugine 

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                    Posted 09 January 2008 - 09:10 PM

                    I have no problems with entertainment critics, but I have problem with people who continually criticise x.x
                    I admit, I do my fair share of criticism to everyone, but atleast I think they are constructive, even if they are mean ^^.

                    ""Don't criticize, condemn or complain." - Dale Carnegie

                    #10   My Best Wishes 

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                      Posted 10 January 2008 - 01:40 AM

                      I feel like an outsider not having a long rant post in this topic.
                      Criticism can be very helpful and needed, when the person is being sincere. I'll admit, I hate being critisied even when the person is just trying to help, but it is an important process in exceling.
                      Critics can have a place, but most of the time I disregard what they have to say because it doesn't match my tastes etc.

                      #11   Lightning Star 

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                        • AKA lightningstar/Icy

                        Posted 10 January 2008 - 01:48 AM

                        View PostDudeus Maximus, on Jan 9 2008, 04:53 PM, said:

                        Well, Criticism is good when it's constructive. As in, when the comments, gripes, and suggestions will actually help what's being criticized actually be improved. Sadly enough, people's opinion's on what's perfect are not only often flawed, but heavily susceptible to the influence of the mass media. It makes me pretty sad actually.

                        For instance, I saw this one Bally Total Fitness commercial, where this one lady, and by this one lady I mean this HOT chick, full-figured buxom goddess-ly figure, looking at herself in a full-length mirror and looking rather dissappointed, and then it goes on to this whole "try bally total fitness today" bull****. Every time I see that commercial I am ENRAGED at the state of today's public view of beauty.

                        I mean, quite honestly, I do NOT find walking bones attractive. If I can see a girl's ribs and she's NOT sucking her gut in, it's a turnoff... I mean, I'd call myself a lover of women of all shapes and sizes(except spherical... that's not attractive either.) Why can't we be like Hawaiians? They love big women, and the bigger the woman, the hotter to them.

                        I have a friend, no multiple friends, who insist they're hideous when just about everyone around them happens to think they're stinkin' beautiful. It pisses me off that the standards in this country(and thanks to globalization, soon the whole world!) are so stupid and unattainable that everyone's killing themselves for goals they'll never achieve. The anorexic girl will never be skinny enough, the body builder will never be buff enough, the tycoon will never be rich enough, and the politician will never be powerful enough.

                        I think this all ties in to the nature of people's criticism. I mean, people just look for flaws in other people's work, to the point that it's not criticism anymore. It's just people's way of hiding from their own flaws by attacking other people's weak points, and I think that's some bull**** that needs to end for this society to be able to pull its overly inflated head out of its slowly hemorrhaging ass.

                        Edit: Yeah, sorry about hijacking your topic with my super circular logic rant of doom... hehe.



                        EXACTLY! My thoughts EXACTLY!

                        There is hope for the world yet! =D Common sense still exists! -_- I love the fourth paragraph where you talk about how the skinny girl will never be skinny enough, the tycoon will never be rich enough, etc. I guess that was another point I was trying to get at.

                        Basically, in our efforts to make the world a prettier and perfect, we're really screwing ourselves over in the esteem and (like kate said) reproduction areas. I just hope I get raptured sometime soon >.<

                        #12   Saturos S. 

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                          Posted 10 January 2008 - 02:05 AM

                          View PostDudeus Maximus, on Jan 10 2008, 12:53 AM, said:

                          It pisses me off that the standards in this country(and thanks to globalization, soon the whole world!) are so stupid and unattainable that everyone's killing themselves for goals they'll never achieve. The anorexic girl will never be skinny enough, the body builder will never be buff enough, the tycoon will never be rich enough, and the politician will never be powerful enough.

                          I think this all ties in to the nature of people's criticism. I mean, people just look for flaws in other people's work, to the point that it's not criticism anymore. It's just people's way of hiding from their own flaws by attacking other people's weak points, and I think that's some bull**** that needs to end for this society to be able to pull its overly inflated head out of its slowly hemorrhaging ass.


                          It's human nature to be better in a certain way then another human. As a politician you should keep striving to improve yourself, getting more power is manner of improving yourself. Anorexic people just need a shrink though. As for killing themselves over goals they won't make, it's better then doing nothing and sitting still. Make your dreams come true at least when you fail you've tried.

                          The thing that's bugging me about the anorexic part is the contra-movement that's coming. Songs like Mika's Big Girl you are beautiful are wrong as well. It's a good thing you're trying to do something about the absurdness aroud anorexic people but please don't encourage being obese. It's just as wrong. To keep to the same example, the clip that mika made kind of disgusts me. Fat people in tight bathing suits on tv should just be as censored as the f-word.

                          #13   Someone Else 

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                            Posted 12 January 2008 - 04:36 PM

                            There's irony in that you're criticizing critics, Icy.

                            5000 omfg!!

                            #14   Lightning Star 

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                              • AKA lightningstar/Icy

                              Posted 13 January 2008 - 02:24 AM

                              Exactly, it's an endless chain. Why do we criticize each other though? Are we programed that way? Other animals criticize each other to an extent, but not in the way humans do. Why is that?

                              #15   Someone Else 

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                                Posted 13 January 2008 - 03:04 AM

                                It's simply human nature for us to want to become better. That's why people criticize everything. They always want things to be better and thus, it's a both a blessing and a flaw to never be satisfied.

                                #16   Split Infinity 

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                                  Posted 13 January 2008 - 03:16 AM

                                  The desire for perfection is the only thing that makes us tick, when you think about it. Everything we do is with the intention that our lives will improve. You wouldn't just do something for no reason, unless you're insane.

                                  #17   Someone Else 

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                                    Posted 13 January 2008 - 03:17 AM

                                    Yeah, but it's not fun to constantly never be satisfied with yourself and how you're doing.

                                    #18   Split Infinity 

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                                      Posted 13 January 2008 - 03:18 AM

                                      Well, we do have the ability to be happy with things for a little while before we want to grow out. Otherwise we'd just be miserable all the time.

                                      #19   Eugine 

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                                        Posted 13 January 2008 - 08:40 AM

                                        View PostSpam King, on Jan 13 2008, 05:16 AM, said:

                                        The desire for perfection is the only thing that makes us tick, when you think about it. Everything we do is with the intention that our lives will improve. You wouldn't just do something for no reason, unless you're insane.
                                        I disagree x.x
                                        People live because of emotions (eg. desire) not perfection. Honestly, I think it's impossible for someone to live on 'the desire for perfection', because no one is perfect, or will be and that means their entire life will be miserable. Whoever lives that way, doesn't want to live happy. Since we are imperfect, how do we know perfect is perfect? It's the sameway in which scientists do not know if infinity is infinity.

                                        There are people who 'tick' to help others, for knowledge, travel, because of their friends and family, to eradicate religion, to spread it, kill people and save lives or locally play games, watch movies etc. I could honestly go on forever, because people can 'tick' for anything.

                                        I think they are people who are content with their lives, eventhough others would think "hey, this person life sucks", and criticise them to improve. I think if you are satisfied with your life, or demeanor why should you change for someone else? After all, we are pleasing ourself, not someone else. Life critics, imo sucks because of that >>
                                        I'm sure everyone here gets pissed when someone criticise something we appreciate. Do not criticise me for liking computers, Spam King for going an all boys school, Wind Dude for being a PC gamer, Icy for loving her past relationships, Saturos Striker for wanting to be a sergent, watch for being a LDS, kate for loving New Zealand, Caael for loving metal or Laharl for loving anime cuz we will all be pissed, cuz we are all content with the way we are or what we love.

                                        Sometimes I wonder why I always have a quote/reference for everything I speak, but I suggest listening to Unwritten - Natasha Beddingfield and read the lyrics, the lyrics is beautifully correct.

                                        To repeat what I said before, I have no problems with entertainment critics, but I have one with life critics. I do believe in constructive criticism though, which is verrry different to criticism.

                                        #20   Caael 

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                                          Posted 13 January 2008 - 07:24 PM

                                          It's all opinion. People think that anything critics say is solid facts, but they're totally wrong. '' Omg randomsite.com gave this film 5 stars, we must go see it!!'' '' Pah, randommagazine gave this movie 2 stars, better not go see it''. It's opinion. You can go see the 2 star film and love it. What also annoys me are people who see a film and love it, and then read the reviews that say it's bad and tell you that they hate it. It's like 'wtf it doesnt make you more popular or cool if you agree with randommagazine'' or w/e.

                                          #21   Lightning Star 

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                                            Posted 13 January 2008 - 09:55 PM

                                            You all have very interesting ideas.

                                            And another thing I find, is that I am my own worst critic. When someone takes a picture of me in a group, my eyes instantly look at how I came out, and I begin to see every little blemish. But when I look at my friends in the picture, I think they look great. At the same time, they're criticizing themselves as well.

                                            I agree with what split said on some degree. We all want to be some level of perfect, just maybe perfect in different areas. Like I want to be perfect intellectually and physically, while other people want to be perfect at helping others and whatnot. But at the same time, I agree with Eugine in the sense that everyone has a different goal they want to achieve, and there are those who are satisfied with being imperfect. It depends on the individual.

                                            #22   Elliott 

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                                              Posted 29 January 2008 - 02:44 AM

                                              Just about everything in life is subjective, with the obvious exceptions of science, mathematics etc. which can prove things (beyond reasonable doubt of course). Mediums such as film, music, art, theater, life philosophy and even religion that rile up such powerful emotions in humans are of course going to be more prone to scrutiny, that's just human nature. I think the real issue, if there is one here, is not why people judge and criticize, but how to deal with that rationally and intelligently. I for one like the expression "water under the bridge". Unless someone screams their opinions into my face, it's not going to bother me.


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