Has The Internet Ruined Everything?
Everyone is a critic.Yes. People always had opinions, but now these opinions become 'law' to many once they are in print. Blogs (like this), social media, forums - all give people platforms to pontificate as much as they would like.
There are websites where people with like minds can come together and see who is more clever than the next in how they rip something apart. A new movie that numerous creative minds have spent years bringing to the public. A book where readers can announce every spoiler that an author painstakingly thought out to make their story different. Or live theater which so many believe is a dying art.
I'm actually shocked at times when I read theater forums that one would believe is a place for those that love theater to come together and share stories. Instead - they become a place where snarky people can't wait to tear down the latest Broadway show. Original shows (especially musicals) are hard to get produced. Jukebox musicals get put up much more quickly as a way to string together the hits of a particular artist or era. But for writers and producers to take the time to mount a new show takes years. I'm always dumbfounded how those that profess to love the art form can't wait to rip apart something new.
New York has been busy lately with new shows emerging to lackluster reviews and some closing quickly while others have producers behind it attempting to keep them going. Yes, reviews from actual reviewers will always carry a certain amount of weight, but for those that merely troll theater forums in order to show everyone how witty they are in their thoughts on a show...I say they need to put that wit to paper and write their own show.
And oh yes - be prepared for the next 'theater queen' to knock it down as soon as it is mounted.
(BTW - no: I have no new show being mounted now. Just returned from a trip visiting family and went out online to catch up on NY shows from the past week and saw some pretty nasty forum threads.)
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Nancy
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Nov 18, 2012 10:34PM
Greg, as an independent author, I rely on fellow authors reading my books, writing reviews (NOT critiques), re-tweeting, etc. The response is only a handful of which we've become friends. I like to evaluate the story as to encourage others to read it also. There may be some need for closer editing, but I can overlook that as long as the story flows and is exciting to read. I can overlook those infractions. I enjoy promoting fellow authors but if there is a book that I really can't read to the end, I just do not even write a review. But, overall, there are few of those. As I say, everyone has a story to tell, and it takes a lot of courage, energy, and time to achieve that first step in writing. No one wants rejection, but we all enjoy good reviews of our well intentions of storytelling.
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Nancy wrote: "Greg, as an independent author, I rely on fellow authors reading my books, writing reviews (NOT critiques), re-tweeting, etc. The response is only a handful of which we've become friends. I like ..."Nancy - I completely agree with you. We all rely on people to share their thoughts. As we know: some people are better at it than others. :-) This particular blog came from me reading a certain theater forum where people who profess to love the art form were slamming every new show that has come into NYC.
This is quote of the day: "Words were not given to man in order to conceal his thoughts”— José Saramago
I'd like to amend to read "Words were given to man in order to voice his concerns, and intelligence given to use those words wisely."
