Beautiful Polarity: On Bad Reviews
In anything, I think it is an absolutely wonderful thing to be POLARIZING. All of the best artists, and all of the famous people in the world have their fans - and their haters.
Seriously, pull up any YouTube video - one you love - and read the comments. See the dislikes? Read any article on any website. Just for fun, check out this story on weather.com about Hurricane Sandy. This little test works with any story on that site, btw. A factual report on weather and climate ALWAYS devolves into a discussion about religion. On a weather site. Not even kidding. Unreal.
My point is that this is a good thing. I’ll bet you read and compare reviews before you buy an item online. I know I do. When it comes to books, movies, plays, or anything else that requires subjective experience, I’m always skeptical if absolutely EVERYONE loves it, 100%. Take a classic novel, like… I dunno… 1984.
Notice that out 1,814 reviews there are 52 1-star reviews and 39 2-star reviews. They’re pretty scathing to say the least. And yet, this work is considered to be a masterpiece of modern American literature.
I really started noticing it when it started happening to me. Polarity, that is.
On Amazon, I’ve only got one 1-star review. The girl, Lauren, complains about how she had to trudge through the novel, which was filled with one-dimensional characters and how lots of important issues were totally glossed over.
Yet in other reviews, other people said the complete opposite. From a 5-star review, Amy said she savored every detail, that the pacing was perfect - it kept her guessing until the end, which she found satisfying and shocking.
I think this is great! Having negative reviews shows you’re writing, performing, creating for a niche, that you’re targeting a specific audience. And for that audience, the work will be considered and debated. Furthermore, does anyone want to experience something that is universally loved? Think about it for a sec.
Over on Goodreads, there are MANY more negative reviews of my book (and books in general), but also more discussion overall about each title. It is a glowing example of beautiful polarity. And it’s helping me find my own audience.
All of the artworks I admire, the musicians I idolize, the painters I’ve grown to respect - have their fans and their haters. Even my favorite musicians have put out albums that are loved or despised within their own fan community. It’s good to have this sentiment, because it gives you a chance to constantly compare your likes and dislikes to your perceptions and experiences. And that is a good, good thing.
I’m happy the book has gotten reviews at all, both singing its praises and condemning it for being a piece of crap. It helps me to know what kind of art I’m making - and makes me think about what I want to create next, and for whom.
If you ever see something that’s praised by over 99% of its consumers, I say be wary. That sweet spot of 75%-90% is a better place to be. It’s polarity: dividing and conquering. And remember, even the D-List has its place in our culture’s bloody little heart. Everything has its place.
