You can't argue with something that works

[MadmanR1]

Apperntly she has a pretty good idea of how to sharpen a knife well enough to cut a cerry tomato.

This is true. I don't think anyone is saying otherwise. The point being that she could likely achieve better results by taking the advice of those with more experience or those that may sharpen professionally. It's obvious she can cut a cherry tomato, good for her, but do you really believe she is reaching the full sharpness potential of that knife??

Cherry tomatoes are not the most difficult task a kitchen knife has to perform, and there are many types of edges as well as cheap knives that can cut them with ease. Sawing through the skin on a nice hard little cherry tomato is not the be all end all indication of a well sharpened knife. She could have sawed through an aluminum can too and I don't think we'd be convinced that knife has a well sharpened edge.

 

[MadmanR1]

If this is the attitudethumbdn she get from using her free time to make something that others might enjoy, and some find helpful, I'm surprised at how polite she is, in only calling people "know it all's"

That's just my point. She is approaching things with the wrong attitude. I applaud her efforts to use her free time to make a video that others might enjoy, even if they may have their doubts about how "helpful" said video may be. However, you apparently think she deserves nothing but applause and is immune from criticism simply because she spent her free time. That is not the case. In fact, that is not the case with a lot of things.

If I work on some analysis for work on the weekend and submit my findings to my boss on Monday, am I to expect no feedback simply because I did the work on my “free time”? Of course not, and I wouldn’t call my boss a “know it all” either.

If I made a how to video and placed it on youtube explaining how to perform an emergency tracheotomy and some certified medical doctors posted comments giving advice on how to improve my technique should I erase them and call the MD’s “know it alls”? Should I expect to simply be commended because I spent my “free time” to make the video? Of course not, that would be silly and ignorant of me to do so.

Placing a "how to" video on youtube begs advice and feedback and any reasonable person welcomes such things as these are the ways you can learn and grow. Placing anything on the internet is likely to evoke feedback of some sort, from many people. You have given me feedback on my post, saying in essence that I have a poor attitude. I accept your feedback but believe it to be false.

I spent my "free time" typing that post "for others to enjoy" and some to "find helpful", by your logic I should be applauded for my efforts. It seems it may be you that have the wrong attitude here, by giving me a thumbsdown on my post you are doing the very same thing that seems to have bothered you so much about others feedback of this lady’s videos. Are you familiar with the term “hypocrite”?

“We need very strong ears to hear ourselves judged frankly, and because there are few who can endure frank criticism without being stung by it, those who venture to criticize us perform a remarkable act of friendship” -- Michel de Montaigne

Those people were trying to help her. It is a sign of her immaturity that she cannot accept their help but instead lash out and call them “know it alls”. That’s all I’m saying. :thumbup:

“To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility -- these are marks of maturity and graciousness.” -- William Arthur Ward

 

[MadmanR1]

"It works for me."

I'm sure we've all said it at one time or another.

Yup.

Lately I've been careful about using that phrase.

Me too.

I try do develop my own ways of doing things. Sometimes it works out and I find a new and better way of accomplishing a task. I'm careful to remind myself to always be on the lookout for a better way.

Me too.

I feel I can sharpen a knife pretty well. I could be satisfied, but I'm not. I'm always trying new techniques and tools (funds permitting), in the search for a better edge.

I'm getting there, thanks to Richard J. I'm not satisfied yet though, and I'm not done buying new tools and trying new techniques either.

I do watch the youtube vids when I have time, and I never comment as I don't think I'm an authority on the subject. My response was simply pointing out that there is good advice out there if one is willing to take it. This lady apparently does not want to, and that is IMO a flaw in her character.

 

[MadmanR1]

There is a difference between constructive criticism and and just plain badmouthing people.

There is a difference, true. Only you can make the determination on which is which. I don't see any badmouthing going on here, and I didn't get to see the comments left on youtube.

Criticism of her ability to sharpen a knife is just that: criticism.

Saying she is ugly and has an annoying voice would be badmouthing, IMO.

Main Entry: bad–mouth
Pronunciation: \ˈbad-ˌmau̇th, -ˌmau̇th\
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1941
: to criticize severely