I read this article on Cracked called "6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person" and I don't think I could have come across anything more timely.
It's a joke in my circle that I "collect skills" I have several college degrees and have tried my hand at pretty much everything creative there is. I'm compelled to do creative things for the sake of bettering myself and my craft and no other real reason. There are however always naysayers. Some random fuckwad that want's to throw in their two cents or wants to be contrary, so he can feel like they are contributing even though they doesn't know jack.
I try to not let them get to me really I do, but it's hard to let it roll off my back. I tend to be that guy who, when you tell me something I worked hard on sucks, secretly thinks to himself, "Fuck you. You fucking asshole. I will show you. I'm going to do it even bigger and better and you will have to eat your god damn words." Yeah.. that's me. I get pretty depressed first though, and that blows. I always end up continuing on my path despite the a-hole that tried to cut me down, but it's tiresome to deal with my own issues let alone when someone tries to put theirs on me so they can feel an ounce of power over me.
I'm greatly disappointed in the people who have opinions just to have them. They don't usually know what they are talking about and are just looking to find a way to justify their existence. I do like a good critique that generates genuine discussion, and is thoughtful with something to add. It's really hard to do. Try it. I went to school so I could learn how to properly critique art, and I still don't do a great job all the time... er most of the time. I find myself falling to into the trap of wanting power rather than genuinely trying to critique something.
This is an excerpt form the article that I really needed to read.
I am going to go forth and better myself, and try to not let the naysayers get to me and you should too.
It's a joke in my circle that I "collect skills" I have several college degrees and have tried my hand at pretty much everything creative there is. I'm compelled to do creative things for the sake of bettering myself and my craft and no other real reason. There are however always naysayers. Some random fuckwad that want's to throw in their two cents or wants to be contrary, so he can feel like they are contributing even though they doesn't know jack.
I try to not let them get to me really I do, but it's hard to let it roll off my back. I tend to be that guy who, when you tell me something I worked hard on sucks, secretly thinks to himself, "Fuck you. You fucking asshole. I will show you. I'm going to do it even bigger and better and you will have to eat your god damn words." Yeah.. that's me. I get pretty depressed first though, and that blows. I always end up continuing on my path despite the a-hole that tried to cut me down, but it's tiresome to deal with my own issues let alone when someone tries to put theirs on me so they can feel an ounce of power over me.
I'm greatly disappointed in the people who have opinions just to have them. They don't usually know what they are talking about and are just looking to find a way to justify their existence. I do like a good critique that generates genuine discussion, and is thoughtful with something to add. It's really hard to do. Try it. I went to school so I could learn how to properly critique art, and I still don't do a great job all the time... er most of the time. I find myself falling to into the trap of wanting power rather than genuinely trying to critique something.
This is an excerpt form the article that I really needed to read.
"It's incredibly comforting to know that as long as you don't create anything in your life, then nobody can attack the thing you created.
It's so much easier to just sit back and criticize other people's
creations. This movie is stupid. That couple's kids are brats. That
other couple's relationship is a mess. That rich guy is shallow. This
restaurant sucks. This Internet writer is an asshole. I'd better leave a
mean comment demanding that the website fire him. See, I created
something.
Oh, wait, did I forget to mention that part? Yeah, whatever you try
to build or create -- be it a poem, or a new skill, or a new
relationship -- you will find yourself immediately surrounded by
non-creators who trash it. Maybe not to your face, but they'll do it.
Your drunk friends do not want you to get sober. Your fat friends do not
want you to start a fitness regimen. Your jobless friends do not want
to see you embark on a career.
Just remember, they're only expressing their own fear, since trashing
other people's work is another excuse to do nothing. "Why should I
create anything when the things other people create suck? I would
totally have written a novel by now, but I'm going to wait for something
good, I don't want to write the next Twilight!" As long as
they never produce anything, it will forever be perfect and beyond
reproach. Or if they do produce something, they'll make sure they do it
with detached irony. They'll make it intentionally bad to make it clear
to everyone else that this isn't their real effort. Their real effort would have been amazing. Not like the shit you made."
I am going to go forth and better myself, and try to not let the naysayers get to me and you should too.
