There have been more postings of poetry requesting for honest opinions and critiques, and then when polite, and honest suggestions and opinions are given, the poster then becomes defensive and mean and then selects the ego stroke’s for “Best Answer”.
Does this help anyone?
2007-08-21 12:48:54 · 14 answers · asked by Sam 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Poetry
Dondi - you made me smile and laugh.
I do not like to have my ego stroked. I prefer the truth rather then sugar coated lies.
Nice attempt for the 10pts (wink) Haha
2007-08-21 13:04:53 · update #1
Well Said Todd! - Dispite what others may feel, I shall do my best to honestly and politely tell "all" what I think.
(It is hard work not to FLAME)
They may not like to hear it but at least it is being said.
Peace,
Sam
2007-08-21 13:40:01 · update #2
Bravo Dancing Bee! - I hope you, as with the others will give your honest, polite and helpful critiques to ALL.
Peace & Love,
Sam
2007-08-21 14:36:33 · update #3
Cinnamon - I hope that you will continue to consider me one of the lucky few.
(Big Smile)
Peace,
Sam
2007-08-21 14:42:20 · update #4
Cinnamon - I hope that you will continue to consider me one of the lucky few.
(Big Smile)
Peace,
Sam
2007-08-21 14:43:31 · update #5
ObscureB - BRAVO!
2007-08-21 15:24:48 · update #6
That didn't rhyme at all.
2007-08-21 14:03:47 · answer #1 · answered by Ronnie 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You're right Sam. There are works that I can't even begin to look at because the work is a poem in the loosest sense of the word. I sit and wonder WTF? Then there are ones that inspire and push me to work and I'm impressed at the quality of thought and execution. It's a mix of factors: a least common denominator factor (the population), seriousness (from 1-100) and, dare I say, intellect (that is, people who give a damn).
I can be testy: I've reached an age where I either don't care to or want to put up with the nonsense of people who are simply looking for their feathers to be stroked, but I'm TRYING to be gentler.
As such, I'm trying to follow a bit of advice that stuck with me from a college poetry lab that I know I've used here before is: "learn who to listen to." I try to dole out equal measures of support and critique but you're right, it's happening more than not.
It's gotten rare that, after I leave an answer, unless the question has really sparked me for good or ill, do I go back to check the status. I try to get something out of the answers I give.
Perhaps when school's back in session this will lighten up???? I don't think the majority of responders--who are the dedicated lot-- want this to be a stagnant niche group, however, the embattered will forebear.
The points are a bizzare bit of hooey. I'd rather give, as you say, an honest answer and live with that. Until points have a cash value (or @ least a prison cigarette value) I'll live without 'em.
2007-08-21 22:21:36 · answer #2 · answered by ObscureB 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sam, I understand your angst, and I often share it. However, I am amazed at how many offline replies I get to some of the poems I critique that are not very good actually "thank me"; Instead of hearing how stupid I am, I actually get responses that say how I "hit the nail on the head", or I "was right" about calling them on what they wrote. So, although there are many who just want their ego stroked, there are also many who actually just want someone to tell them how to improve their poetry...and in fact say "thanks, at least someone gave me an honest answer". We can't stop those who seek 10 points from kissing "toes" (as Dancing Bee so accurately says), but we "can" offer honest appraisal and if it turns out to be pearls before swine...at least we were the ones with pearls :)
oh...and Marguarite...please, do NOT hesitate to post...we do NOT consider your words to be "drivel" :)
really...keep writing
2007-08-28 03:13:37 · answer #3 · answered by Kevin S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and apart from real workshop sites, it will continue till the end of time. Thankfully, there are always a few people that really want to get better--they mean it when they say they want a brutal critique. It's very refreshing. They are outnumbered by at least 20 to 1 though.
It tells you pretty quickly though who not to waste your time on.
2007-08-21 20:23:50 · answer #4 · answered by Todd 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yea, I kinda think I've become a Y!Snob because I don't even bother to critique people anymore. Well, I critique the members of my Y!Posse, but for the most part I don't bother because it galls me when I see a promising poet get sucked away from improving by undeserved praise. It also galls me to read a lot of the drivel that's posted here in the name of poetry. It's all well and good to express yourself and your feelings and it's certainly better than other ways that one might express those feelings, but poetry is poetry and oddly spaced rantings are "a whole other ball game."
Anyway, all that to say that I completely agree that this is becoming an epidemic and I don't think it actually helps anyone, least of all those of us who actually know good poetry when they read it.
2007-08-21 21:33:24 · answer #5 · answered by Cinnibuns 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Some do not want honest opinions, unless they are what they want to hear. I try to give honest answers, but I also try to not be brutal about it. Some only want their ego's stroked, and by asking for brutally honest opinions, they hope someone will take that to mean they should like it. Anyways, I said all that to say this. I agree.
Now that I stroked your ego, can I have 10 points??
huh,huh,huh,huh?
roflmao
live large and prosper
2007-08-21 20:00:09 · answer #6 · answered by Dondi 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a new poet and new to Yahoo.
After reading some of the comments, I am now somewhat hesitant to submit a poem for fear that my words be considered drivel.
I greatly appreciate constructive critism, pointers, and of course, encouragement. I have learned much in the short time I have been here - hopefully, this will continue.
2007-08-21 22:19:05 · answer #7 · answered by Marguerite 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
hehehe I was just talking to a friend of mine about this the other day. Don't ask if you don't want to know, and if you do ask don't be a freaking crybaby when people give you an honest opinion. If you cant take it keep you stuff to yourself you pantie-waste.
2007-08-22 01:36:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to Y!A!!! Where the poet gets to award ten points to the critique they like the best,: otherwise known as who kisses my big toe best.
They don't want to get better, they want to hear that they are great.
And that is why there are fewer and fewer that get well-written and meaningful critiques and fewer who bother to write them.
2007-08-21 20:03:54 · answer #9 · answered by Dancing Bee 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
No, it doesn't help anyone! If you can't handle the truth don't post your poetry!! Thats what I say!
2007-08-21 19:56:28 · answer #10 · answered by Gingy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no it doesn't help them it enables them, a lot of people are sensitive and don't like or appreciate the truth and lies appeal to them
2007-08-21 23:59:05 · answer #11 · answered by lyra 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋