Posted 7 months, 3 weeks ago terribly early in the morning by oso
I woke up this morning feeling like a jerk. Looking back over the past six months, I’ve spent far too much time arguing over small details with people I respect and largely agree with, and not nearly enough time collaborating with them toward the common objectives we’re all striving for: greater access to information, more diverse participation, and the decentralization of social capital.
A couple days ago, frustrated by all the dreary projections about the future of the internet here at the International School on Digital Transformation, I used Twitter to criticize Jonathan Zittrain for what I feel is exaggerated fear-mongering about the corporatization and impending doom of the internet. When you are always searching for what’s perfect it is easy to not take advantage of what is already very good.
But the irony is that I have been spending my time and mental energy criticizing their criticisms rather than collaborating toward our shared vision of what the internet can and should be as a medium of communication and participation.
There is something depressingly seductive about criticism. I suppose that by criticizing others we then feel more informed and authoritative about a particular topic. There is almost a playground psychology to it; making fun of a kid to increase our schoolyard popularity.
It helps to know that I’m not the only one struggling with this. Erik recently wrote that he was frustrated to find himself increasingly reactive rather than proactive. And yesterday Chris published a thoughtful post recognizing that criticism of what’s not perfect can slow down progress toward what’s pretty great.
So I’m glad that I’ve woken from the stupor. I know that the allure of criticism will always be there, but I’m going to do my very best to focus on what’s good, and not criticize that which is not perfect.
I often feel sucked into the desire to excessively critique and have to stop myself unless I am offering solutions. However, I also find myself at times not being critical enough of my own work. I crave criticism, as it gives me a chance to refine and defend my views. I would MUCH rather see critical (if at times puerile) discussion than congratulatory mutual masturbation sessions. And in my utopic opinions of the information age, I hope to provoke anyone who dreams otherwise.
Hi Oso,
We met in Berkeley a couple of years ago.
I didn’t follow the specific discussion, the context around what you said.
But I think it is a rather mature and balanced approach.
Criticism is the salt of the American system. If the USA always were (and are) at the top of innovation, it was thanks to the openness to criticism.
But it is also true that “pars destruens” should be followed by “pars construens” as Latins said.
If you show up in Paris give me a call.
Adriano
There’s a great line in the opening of ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ :
“I was an outsider who seemed more interested in attacking what was being taught than learning from it.”
Hit home for me…
Peace
Collaborating on a brighter future seems to be the right approach. But debating ideas (/critiquing them) can help us reach that future, too. Tone and intent can make all the difference, and tip the balance towards constructive. Anyway, don’t be too hard on yourself!