Demean was too strong a word, I need to follow my own advice better :).
> Regardless, it is surely suboptimal. I wonder if there are more optimal approaches than "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" (my Mom's advice)....can you think of any?
The three gates[0] are what I try (and admittedly fail miserably) to implement, though not in their original form.
I generally try for "Is it true", "Is it useful", "Is it kind" - in that order of precedence if they can not all be met.
[0] Is it true, is it necessary, is it kind.
I would evaluate it thusly:
a) Is it true?
I would say: overwhelmingly.
b) Is it necessary?
In an absolute sense: no.
In a relative sense (say, if one has a specific goal in mind): Certainly maybe, but I would predict: Extremely Likely.
> Is it kind.
I suspect not. But then, I think HN'ers can have thick skin when required (say, if you are trying to optimize The System that we all live within).
Is it really that bad? It's plausible, but I'm skeptical.
Regardless, it is surely suboptimal. I wonder if there are more optimal approaches than "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" (my Mom's advice)....can you think of any?