Kumbaya Compliments versus Unvarnished Opinions

What do you prefer?

  • Kumbaya Compliments

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Unvarnished Opinions

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
ptgdvc

ptgdvc

Joined
Feb 27, 2003
Messages
2,369
Kumbaya Compliments versus Unvarnished Opinions

What is your preference?
 
Judge each and every knife on it's own merit with an open mind and without regard to maker. Then present your opinion in a respectable and productive manner.
 
How about Varnished opinions...

You know, with a little polish to them.

Unvarnished opinions on a public internet forum about subjective handcrafted work? Fine for those who have the command of language to be tactful, and have credentials that uphold them to a status as a respected educator.

For the other 90%, forgettaboutit. Be CAREFUL what you ask for.

Coop
 
Kumbaya Compliments all the way.

Why? Because the truth can be...well so..."truthful".

Lets try not to cloud the issue with facts.

Feel the "Pre-Love" then the "Love" Baby! :D :D

Les Robertson
Kumbaya Coordinator and Judge at the 2008 Blade Show!
 
The two choices available in the poll kind of remind me of "Have you stopped beating your wife" answer Yes or No. The written responses of Kevin and Holger and Coop so far relect my feelings more accurately.

I think honest opinions varnished with tact and intelligence are the key and far less likely to start a flame war and perhaps damage freindships. I keep thinking of that very fine line between brutal honesty and just plain being a horse's ass.

Paul
 
Well said Keith and Paul..
important to encourage participation.
 
I try and stick with a "no negative" philosophy in public forums when it comes to discussions about specific knives, makers, dealers and collectors. If a topic is general enough (like this one) I may speak more freely.

However, If someone really wants a critical opinion from me they can contact me privately and I will respond privately.

Some will say that if everybody adopted my approach forums as educational opportunities would become diluted or even worthless. I don't believe that would happen at all.

A forum is by and large a public place, like an open seminar or a Bar-B-Q in your back yard. My preference is to behave in such a way that I may have the honor of being invited back in the future.

Public criticism is hurtful. There is no such thing as constructive criticism; it's still criticism. To borrow an axiom from the world of parenting: one word of criticism will ruin six months of praise. And to further borrow an axiom from the world of marriage: speak only the best and keep quiet about the rest.

The above is what works best for me. I do not mean to imply that other approaches aren't equally valid. If we were all the same the world would be a very boring place.
 
HTMD said:
I try and stick with a "no negative" philosophy in public forums when it comes to discussions about specific knives, makers, dealers and collectors. If a topic is general enough (like this one) I may speak more freely.

However, If someone really wants a critical opinion from me they can contact me privately and I will respond privately.
That's fine, however they should do that rather than posting on a public forum where partisipants openly give positive or negitive opinion.

Some will say that if everybody adopted my approach forums as educational opportunities would become diluted or even worthless. I don't believe that would happen at all.

[A forum is by and large a public place, like an open seminar or a Bar-B-Q in your back yard. My preference is to behave in such a way that I may have the honor of being invited back in the future. I disagree, as a Bar-B-Q is an event where one goes to visit, socialize and enjoy food with friends and acquaintances. Not a place where one presents views, opinions or examples of their work for participants to discuss and offer opinion.

Information presented in forums is open for discussion, information presented at a seminar is not necessarily open for discussion unless the presenter ask for questions or opinions.

Public criticism is hurtful. There is no such thing as constructive criticism; it's still criticism. To borrow an axiom from the world of parenting: one word of criticism will ruin six months of praise. And to further borrow an axiom from the world of marriage: speak only the best and keep quiet about the rest.

The above is what works best for me. I do not mean to imply that other approaches aren't equally valid. If we were all the same the world would be a very boring place.
Click to expand...
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So when we never criticize or discuss, constructively or otherwise, and never work out problems with discussion, but speak only the best and worry constantly about self esteem, what do we have? A kinder place with a high divorce rate and uncontrollable children who feel entitled? Both of those are a lack of communication and a kumbaya mind set. Communication is the absolute key to marriage, and children can be taught through constructive criticism. They need to know when they can improve.

I have always appreciated those who would take the time to tell me how to make a better knife. Criticism is an important learning tool. So is respect.

There is the Loveless form of criticism, as I witnessed, which consists of picking up someone's knife from their show table, saying something like POS, and tossing it back at the table rather than even putting it dowm. That's wrong.

There is also the form that says "Gene, you could make this better by changing this a bit, because..." I have always appreciated that. And no, it wasn't my knife Loveless threw back at the table.

There are those, like STeven who are blunt, but then again, so am I sometimes. Varnish can be good, but some of us can be thick headed, too. I'd rather have an honest opinion about my work than kumbaya because that shows me how I can improve.

Sorry, but this post about only saying good things and being quiet about the rest just really grabbed me wrong. It's deceitful, whether in marriage or about the work of your hands.

I was married 35 years and widowed. I've been remarried for 3 years. I have 3 kids who are all grown and gone. They are productive members of society. So I do have a clue what I'm talking about.

Gene
 
After reading this, I realized that I never post about a knife that I don't like. I simply hit the back button and move on to the next thread.

I'm no expert in knives by any means, but think that if everyone did what I do, no one would ever get any legitimate discussion or opinions about their knives.

I think I'll try to make it a point to comment on more knives whether I like them or not.
 
I've learned not to take compliments or criticisms too seriously.

Never believe your reviews. Talk is cheap.

Opinions are just opinions, not facts. Art is subjective.

You should be your own worst critic,... and your own biggest fan.
 
ptgdvc said:
This looks pretty one sided, a quick bump for more votes.
Click to expand...
I wonder if the wording is an issue. What 'real man' would vote for anything containing the work Kumbaya? However, if one reads the posts here and in the related "What's the Point?" thread, things seem a bit more evenly balanced.
 
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