When Critics Fall Flat on Their Faces

Do we really have to listen to some people telling us what to like and not like? Or in some cases, are we good enough or not?

Photo by Daniel Páscoa on Unsplash

I came across this interesting article, The Role of a Critic, which discusses the supposed functions of critics of all kinds and the viewpoints/debates associated with them. Are critics’ opinions helpful? Valid? Do they deserve the respect? Do we need a critic to form our impression on anything?

And more importantly, have they ever been wrong?

I do believe that many critics share good opinions — especially constructive ones. For example, when I want to see if a movie is worth it, I use critics’ evaluation as one factor for consideration. But I want to say that sometimes, when I see some “critics” throwing their “voice of authority” on someone or some work with scornful tones, there’s only one word to describe my feeling: disgusted.

It is very EASY to criticize — pretty much ANYONE can do that. Unfortunately, some abuse that, probably to make themselves feel smarter or better.

Confession: whenever I go to a grocery store and see a ton of magazines with a subtitle like “Best and Worst Dressed Celebrities,” then manages to use words like “bath rug,” “distasteful,” “tacky,”…