When does "negative criticism" turn into "positive criticism"?

Question

I'm thinking of that saying "If you've nothing nice to say, it is better to say nothing at all"

But all claims to truth could have some positive value, even the most, well, un-nice things to say.

Answer 1

When it is conveyed as CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.

I could read a poem you've just written and say, "What a stupid poem!" That's negative criticism.

Or, I could say nothing. But what does that say, really, when you're standing there watching me, all eager and anxious and proud of what you've written? It pretty much screams, "GOD, I HATED THIS POEM, IT WAS SO STUPID I CAN'T THINK OF A THING TO SAY ABOUT IT!" That's worse than saying out loud how stupid it was. In that case, at least, you can get mad at me, deny that it's stupid, decide that I'm the stupid one. If I say nothing, however, you're likely to question yourself in unhelpful ways. You may just cry. That didn't gain anything for either of us.

On the other hand, I could FIND SOMETHING GOOD to say, even if I have to exaggerate even the teensiest halfway decent thing I can find about the poem. "There's really something at work here. I love the way you rhymed everything. I'm not sure I understand the second stanza, though...maybe I'm just stupid, but it's not as clear to me as the rest of the poem. Help me with it."

That's CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. That's turning negative criticism into positive criticism.

Answer 2

It doesn't.

This is really an issue of semantics.

Negative criticism is a redundant concept; and there is no such thing as "positive" criticism. ("Positive" criticism is praise.)

Criticism can be defined either as an evaluation or a list of shortcomings. The difference between negative and positive is in the approach rather than the result. The perspective makes all of the difference.

Although a critique points out shortcomings, its purpose is not to degrade, but to point out where the work needs to continue.

Let us say we are painting a wall. We look at the wall and see it's shortcomings: the color is wrong; it needs to be patched; it needs to be taped off so the lines are crisp.

Then we paint.

We look at the wall again and see the patched part needs a bit of sanding. The primer needs to dry completely before the next coat.

Etc.

The point of the criticism ultimately is to produce a better product. A second painter evaluating the wall will give good
advice. However, beware advice from the mailman; he may
mean well, but he doesn't really know what he's talking about,
as far as your painted wall is concerned.

All of this applies to the criticism.

You don't really WANT criticism. You want a critique from the informed, from the connoisseur. The difference is that with random nit picking from the peanut gallery, the comments you get are as likely to be harmful as they are helpful.

I would not go so far as to say that all claims to truth have positive value. You really have to look at the source. Is the source legitimate? Because if the source has no taste, education, or experience, or if they're color blind, biased, or otherwise impaired, their criticisms are without value.

So ... we go back to our painted wall. The peanut gallery says, "That's ugly."

The expert says, "That's not bad for a first coat. You need to sand the patched area, and apply one more thin coat, and we will check it again to see how it looks."

A negative comment is not useful.

A useful comment reveals the problem in terms of what must be done to solve the given issue.

What Thumper's mother taught him, If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all. " is a social rule.
It's true in most situations. People aren't really looking for
criticism, so you really have to be certain that they WANT
your advice before you offer it. Even if it is meant well, it
will be misunderstood.

There's a world of difference between "un-nice" things someone said vs constructive criticism.

Answer 3

It's all in the wording. For example, if you say "this will never work!" That's negative criticism. If instead you say "if this could do this, it might could better," that's positive. it's the difference between pessimism and optimism. If you take a look at something, and then start listing off it's faults to its creator, that's negative, but if you instead list ways to improve said whatever, that's positive.

Answer 4

i spose. but i'm thinking more along the lines of, if you're saying something incredibly rude and uncalled for, its negative. but if you're saying that the person could improve, in a nicer way, by giving them tips on how, then its positive. i mean, a guy could call another a chickenshit coz he didnt want to bash some guys face in with a bat. then the guy, if the correct buttons are pushed, would do it. is that positive?

Answer 5

Criticism is criticism. Depending how it is received by the affected, its negative or positive.
Maybe too simple, but that's the way it is.
And it criticism has nothing to do with truth. You don't criticize because love for truth, but because you object to something.

Answer 6

Negative criticism turns into positive criticism when the receiver alters his perception of the criticism.

Answer 7

When you decide to take a negative criticism and make something positive out of it.

Answer 8

If in user-friendly words Johannesburg weren't so risky. I undergo in concepts the major perfect admiration I had for Christian Bernhardt in Dec. 1967 even as he had the cajones to finish the international's first coronary heart transplant. My sister in regulation is South African. The very broaching of might want to she opt for to go back for a visit brings an uncharacteristic seem of apprehension to her face, so we enable it drop.

Answer 9

on some circumstances, dissing someone can give them the positive thought that they can prove the person wrong and they try it and sometimes they are sucessful, with some people they feel better about themselves and continue with it, some people just go back to the way things were

Answer 10

Ya gotta chunk a spinach stuck in yer teeth.. phrase it politely or not.. it is negative.. lol.. but a good tip if you pay attention..