Grimmertown

- Andrew Keller (Executive Creative Director, Crispin Porter + Bogusky) (via ihavegoodtaste)

You know why this isn’t true, because everyone has different reasons for doing things. Am I going to be critical of a friend’s painting or music because it’s not great even when their reason for painting or making music is simply cathartic? Obviously not. This statement is bullshit unless it is directed only at those working in advertising (in which case it’s totally true!), because it certainly shouldn’t exist as a truth as far as friendships go.

(via cameronr)

Totally agree with Cam. Maybe if your friend is showing you something they’ve made and are asking for your critique because they dream of being great at what they do and want to figure out what they need to work on, then yeah. In that case it would be unfair to say something is really great when it really needs work. In that case you should constructively suggest how hey might develop certain strengths or reconsider certain weaknesses. But if someone is just enjoying themselves and haven’t asked for criticism, then it’s bullshit to tell them they suck. And really, I’d have to wonder about the motivations of a person who goes around subjecting people to unsolicited criticism.

(via circumpolarnavigation)

Totally agree with the original statement…

…but wait,  are you guys just referring to unsolicited criticism? And why were friends brought into this?

Experience tells me that people who have a history of constantly hyping work by their friends have compromised opinions that I simply can’t trust.

What makes an opinion important?  I’d say integrity, honesty and open-mindedness.

A few years back, after a friend’s band’s show, a mutual acquaintance rushed up and told them that one of their songs was in his top three of songs of all time. Really? Top three? What song did that bump to fourth? “I’m Waiting For The Man”? How could you take that person seriously?

Of course, I’m not suggesting we tell our friends they suck, or even suggesting that offering unsolicited criticism is a good thing, but really, if an opinion is really only an opinion…why not make an honest one?