22 January 2013

Why Don't You Go ___ Yourself? [Rant]

"Why don't you go design a phone yourself?"
"Why don't you go make a movie yourself?"
"Why don't you go sing on stage yourself?"

"Why don't you go ___ yourself?"

First things first, do not insert vulgarities into the blank, because it is definitely not intended to be so... maybe.

When writing reviews/criticisms/comments on any topic, it is inevitable to invite such comments from defensive fans who learned this "argument technique" from somewhere thinking they will win any argument with sentences like these.

By using such sentences, you are assuming that we:

  • Have amazing capabilities surpassing humankind
  • Have powers to revolutionise the whole world
  • Are just being humble and not wanting to spoil the market with our superhuman powers


I thank you for such flattery, but sorry to disappoint you, but such sentences totally miss the point of the existence of reviewers, critics or any general commenter.


We are writing from a consumer's point of view, for consumers.

We are not writing from the viewpoints of a professional, because if we are, we would not have time to do so.

We are writing what one particular consumer wants to see from the big hats, just one little opinion.

We do not assume we know everything, which is the reason we continue checking out what we are interested in.


We criticise, because we want to see changes and improvements.

Why else would we bring up flaws and points worth improving on?

Did you really think we are just like a school bully who wants to crush everybody's ego? Seriously?


We do not demean the efforts put into any work.

In fact, by using such sentences, you will be the ones who put down other people's efforts without any sense of consideration nor respect.


It is terribly condescending and non-constructive.

What else do you think you can achieve from a sentence that is practically asking someone to shut the ___ up?

By shutting differing opinions up without a proper review presented by yourself, you will be the one hindering progress and improvements.


I do not represent all journalists obviously, but I believe this is a point worth bringing up because such sentences seem to trend and appear whenever a fan gets too defensive and tries to win an argument without discussing it with a level head, and decides to go on the offensive at a personal level.

Disagree? Seriously, GO WRITE ARTICLES YOURSELF.

[did that feel good? =)]

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