‘How To Be A Critic’ – Sean D’Souza’s Article

So the dish could be too salty, too sweet–or, or, or,–it could be
just right, or even better than you’ve ever tasted before.

Whether we choose to voice our opinion or not, is totally our call.
And sometimes we don’t. And sometimes we do.

The answer is yes. And no.

And as I grew up, I’d picked up several words from teachers,
friends etc. And I’d pronounce those words incorrectly. So I’d
pronounce the word ‘question’ as ‘ques-sin’. Or Tibet (as in the
place, Tibet) as ‘Tib-it’.

My favourite series was the ‘tion’ series. Words like
‘consumption’, for instance. I’d use the ‘z’ sound, so it sounded
like ‘con-zum-shun’. Well, let’s just say, that from time to time,
a lot of folk here in Kiwi land would do a double-take when I spoke
certain words.

So I appointed my friend and super-critic, Chris Parkinson, to pick
up the glitches. If you know Chris, that’s what he’d do for a
living. But anyway, he critiqued, and I fixed it. But there was a
difference. I wanted to be critiqued.

I couldn’t hear myself, and even when corrected, I still had to
work quite hard at pronouncing some very basic words like
‘industry, electricity’ and probably every word that started with
‘v’ (I’d say it with a ‘w’ sound).

Most of us don’t take critiques well, and unless asked for,
critiques are often disregarded, even shunned. So the basic rule of
critiquing is, don’t give advice unless asked. Don’t critique
unless asked.’

Let’s say for instance, in 5000bc, we have a critique section. In
that section, every one who posts their website or article knows
they’re going to be critiqued. But even when you’re asked to
critique, you must only critique ONE thing at a time.

If you’re asked to critique a sales page, and you go nuts on that
page, it’s not only too much for the person to take, but it’s also
too much to fix all at once.

And if you’ve been on a course with me, or watched carefully, I’ll
tend to critique just one thing. In the Article Writing Course, for
instance, there are several elements that we have to consider:
Connectors, disconnectors, first fifty words, visual impact, blah,
blah, blah.

But I will focus on just one thing to the exclusion of all others.
This enables the person being critiqued to work on that one thing,
fix it and move ahead.

So to be clear, don’t tackle more than one thing at a time. And
only critique when asked.

It changes when you have a common frame of reference. So, for
example if everyone in the room has read The Brain Audit, and
you’re on The Brain Audit course, then you’re expected to work with
your team of 4-5 people.

You’re expected to critique as part of the course. If you don’t
critique/help the other person, they actually feel neglected and
hurt. And there’s a distinct possibility that they’ll drop out of
the course.

Why? Because you can’t keep saying “great job” every single day.
When you’re learning, you want to improve. But because you have a
small group and because you have a common frame of reference, you
can point to that frame of reference.

Because everyone has read The Brain Audit (on that course) they
know what you’re referring to. They expect to be critiqued by the
small group they’re working with. And most importantly, even if
they don’t feel they’re qualified to critique, I have to let them
know it’s okay to critique.

Because I’m reading every post and if the critique is off-target,
I’ll get things on target. Or it may lead to an interesting
discussion and we’ll all be the better for it.

But as you can see, there are several elements in place such as
common frame of reference, expectation of critique, small group and
most importantly that someone is overseeing every tiny post you
make on the forum–and can direct you if you go off course.

I thought it was normal to be a critic.
Obviously not.
In many cases people want you to just say ‘wow’.
In other situations, a ‘wow’ is wonderful, but the critique is
expected as well.

And what is expected of you.
You may think that the better thing to do is just shut up and not
offer any critique at all. And that’s a bit off the mark. Instead
ask the person if they’d like a critique from time to time. If they
trust you, they’ll say yes. And then please, don’t over do your
critiques. Pick on one thing. And don’t be a pest. Intersperse
critiques with praise.

P.S. Yes, you can critique anything we do or say at Psychotactics.
Yes, anything. We want to fix things all the time. We even
occasionally offer chocolate bars for your critique.