If you've ever put anything creative on the Internet, I'm sure you've dealt with people needlessly tearing it to shreds for one reason or another. Here's why those people shouldn't even be a part of your universe.
Coming to you from Ed Verosky, this great video essay talks about overtly negative people and their role in the artist's life, namely, why they shouldn't have one. On the other hand, I think it's important to distinguish between people who only give positive feedback and people who contribute positively. While people who only give positive feedback are certainly easier on the ego than the vitriol-spewing trolls of the world, unfortunately, if you really want to grow as a creative, their feedback isn't particularly helpful. That's not to say positive feedback isn't ever beneficial, but someone who gives you nothing but that isn't going to help you grow, as we all have things we can improve on. Generally, the people you want to listen to are those who are somewhere between the two extremes and who have the requisite knowledge and experience to provide informed feedback. And don't waste time and energy responding to the trolls; you'll never convince them to behave otherwise, and it's time that can be spent engaging with more helpful peers.
Lead image by Pexels user nappy, used under Creative Commons.
I agree totally with your take on this topic, Alex. Good points.
Great points from you!!
What really seems to have vanished from the conversation about art online in social media and forums and the like is constructive comments - both positive and negative. Things seem to fall into either the sycophant range or the troll range. Neither is anything other than destructive.
Each person just treats any communication directed towards them differently, humans can’t fly together like birds with built in sonar, we bump into each other often. Overly negative people should be avoided if possible, some might just need some encouragement themselves.
More then being negative, what drives me crazy is the lack of manners. Unfortunately life is full of rude people that on line really show what´s inside them.
Personally I never spend my energy replying who doesn´t have anything positive or constructive to give me. You got a real point with your video, Alex. Nice one!
Thinking about the title, should that include other "artists"? Negativity exists among artistic/photographic peers as well. Criticism is fine and even necessary for moving forward. But, criticism without substance is kind of annoying. If you can't substantively articulate your criticism, then just don't.