When I was 22, I thought my criticism was very important. A few years later, I often find it overwhelmingly detracts more than it helps. Critique ahould be differentiated, in that there's a much better chance that you're actually contributing, rather than just being perceived as trying to draw attention to yourself. The less you tell people they're doing something bad, with no substantial addition, the less you'll be perceived as an asshole and the more will get done.
Reading this, all I can think is that you are just asking for everyone to spare your feelings while insisting you shouldn't put in the effort to spare anyone else's.
Re:Mediocrity Is Now Mandatory
by harpiaharpyja on Sunday February 07, 2021 @05:25PM
(#26058805)
He isn't asking that though, so was there something you wanted to say about what the GP actually wrote?
> we have a mechanism for people who are truly assholes - be tolerant and ignore them.
Why does the GP feel they can convey their criticisms to other parties as callously as they please, but reject that anyone should respond to them negatively?
Re:Mediocrity Is Now Mandatory
by systemvoltage on Sunday February 07, 2021 @06:09PM
(#26059086)
I think you're putting words in my mouth.
I didn't say reject people that respond to them negatively. You're more than welcome to criticize the criticizers with a counter argument. That's healthy debate. What you missed is the main thrust of my argument regarding the "Like" button you see on social media and gamification of an otherwise normal intellectual discourse. It brews mediocrity.
Re:Mediocrity Is Now Mandatory
by jakelazaroff on Sunday February 07, 2021 @07:28PM
(#26059525)
The phrase that sticks out to me is “right-to-be-offended is rampant”. Because people do have that right — and complaining about them exercising it sure makes it sound like you’d like to express your opinions without worrying about others responding in kind.
Re:Mediocrity Is Now Mandatory
by systemvoltage on Sunday February 07, 2021 @07:50PM
(#26059623)
I think it’s a balance and is not an absolute.
On Github, saying something across the grain or against it can lead to public shaming - all beautifully souped up for public consumption in the form of 31 downvotes, emojified, recorded and attached to someone's name. Now, that person will perhaps think twice before saying something negative ever again, silenced and rejected by the public previously. Email mailing lists are far superior in arguing about a point than Github. Makes me furious just thinking about how shitty we have become. It's getting worse everyday. If you think that these people are just "assholes and always complain"; we have a mechanism for people who are truly assholes - be tolerant and ignore them.
Folks, it's time to ditch the 'Emoji Casino' for any sort of serious intellectual discourse. That includes Github and anything that's "social". One should be judged by the merit of their words and thoughts, not statistics and concensus.
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25991563