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Does criticism require solutions?

by tdhurst · 13 comments

No one likes non-constructive criticism. Pointing out flaws without providing solutions can be most infuriating to whoever is responsible for fixing the problem.

Get over it. As a creator of any type, criticism should be your best friend. Even better if it’s free, unfiltered criticism that points out flaws that you never dreamed of.

Not everyone has answers. Not everyone is qualified to even talk about what the answers are. When people post critiques, they are USING YOUR PRODUCT and they want it to be better.

There’s always the few who regularly and repeatedly sling criticism without offering any sort of help. They should be REQUIRED to offer help, but many do not. Get over it and use what they say to get better.

Oh, and for those control freaks who want to control every aspect of their creations, you need to either make it easier to get involved or stop whining about people complaining. You don’t always get to determine HOW people contribute, but you can determine IF they do. Make it simple, but not necessarily easy.

Posted via email from Tyler says…

  • Derek Neighbors

    I like to think people only criticize things they care about (or at least find it to be mostly true). While it’s great when someone provides some solutions, simply voicing them is an opportunity for feedback. Feedback properly processed can turn into improvement. Improvement is the path to excellence. So why are we so afraid of criticism (constructive or otherwise)?

  • Derek Neighbors

    I like to think people only criticize things they care about (or at least find it to be mostly true). While it’s great when someone provides some solutions, simply voicing them is an opportunity for feedback. Feedback properly processed can turn into improvement. Improvement is the path to excellence. So why are we so afraid of criticism (constructive or otherwise)?

  • Jeff Moriarty

    It depends on the type of criticism. If it is constructive or simply honest, as in “I don’t like X because of Y”, that’s all fair. If it is just griping or potshots, and nothing useful, then it rarely seems to serve any purpose than to let the speaker hear themselves talk.

    On one hand, many people are too sensitive to any critique of what they do – as if they expect everyone to love them just for making an effort. On the other hand, many people expect all of their opinions to drive change, and sometimes their idea just doesn’t work. Value dries up when the two sides are not discussing, but talking at each other.

    @Derek – I think you answered your own rhetorical question in your post about Startups Needing A Supportive Community. It’s not the criticism, but how it is voiced. Public venting helps no one. Honest critique from a desire to improve is not something anyone should fear.

  • Jeff Moriarty

    It depends on the type of criticism. If it is constructive or simply honest, as in “I don’t like X because of Y”, that’s all fair. If it is just griping or potshots, and nothing useful, then it rarely seems to serve any purpose than to let the speaker hear themselves talk.

    On one hand, many people are too sensitive to any critique of what they do – as if they expect everyone to love them just for making an effort. On the other hand, many people expect all of their opinions to drive change, and sometimes their idea just doesn’t work. Value dries up when the two sides are not discussing, but talking at each other.

    @Derek – I think you answered your own rhetorical question in your post about Startups Needing A Supportive Community. It’s not the criticism, but how it is voiced. Public venting helps no one. Honest critique from a desire to improve is not something anyone should fear.

  • WesleyTech

    saying “product X sucks” helps no one.

    contacting the product owner and requesting enhancements, new features and reporting bugs/problems helps everyone.

  • WesleyTech

    saying “product X sucks” helps no one.

    contacting the product owner and requesting enhancements, new features and reporting bugs/problems helps everyone.

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  • Bryan

    You ramble too much. Use that to your benefit.

  • Bryan

    You ramble too much. Use that to your benefit.

  • Tyler Hurst

    Sure, but not every user has that level of knowledge.

  • Tyler Hurst

    Sure, but not every user has that level of knowledge.

  • Tyler Hurst

    Lazy.

  • Tyler Hurst

    Lazy.

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