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Thursday, June 13, 2019

How To: Criticize


[Originally published January 2015, brought to the top & mildly updated June 2019 in conjunction with a relevant debate going on at Brickset.]

You probably don't want to read a bunch of extraneous text, so let's get right to the point.  I think criticism is a good thing -- criticism of people, practices, products, companies, you name it. However, there are good & constructive ways to criticize and there are bad & inexcusable ways to criticize.  Here are some analogous examples from each side of the fence. Backstory for this article is shoved down at the end, if you're interested!

GOOD Criticism:
  • I don't like this at all -- to me, the old version was way, way better.  This seems much too simplified & it doesn't have any character anymore. A step in the wrong direction IMO.
BAD Criticism:
  • This sucks. It's just unforgivable rubbish compared to the old version. It's like they sucked all of the character out & remade the whole thing just for babies. Everyone can see that this is stupid & lame. These are facts. If you disagree with me you're clearly a brainwashed zombie corporate shill.
The same core relevant sentiment is shared in each case, but one form is respectable and the other is just plain nasty & immature. 

GOOD Criticism:
  • Seems seriously overpriced.  It's just too small for what they're charging & lacks any "must have" features.  I'll pass.
BAD Criticism:
  • Another cashgrab.  Corporate greed at its finest!  Such a tiny little nothing, does nothing. Total garbage being force-fed down consumers' throats. All this company cares about anymore is money.
For-profit companies exist to make money. It's a concept that's not new since the last cheaper product they made. Part of corporate profits go towards salaries for employees, some of whom are parents, who use that money to pay for young critics' food, home, shelter, Internet access, etc.  Call a spade a spade, but skip the sensationalism, lest it be turned back against you.

GOOD Criticism:
  • Hey nice video, but the glare from the sun was really distracting.
BAD Criticism:
  • How braindead can you be? Surely I'm not the only person on the planet capable of seeing, oh I don't know, the SUN, blaring straight into the flippin' camera lens.  You are a total failure at life itself.
I don't need to break this one down. Just don't be "that guy." Be somebody people should actually listen to.

GOOD Criticism:
  • Gotta tell ya, I have a bunch of problems with this.  First of all, you're using the wrong side -- have a look at the illustration in the manual.  Next, the dogs barking in the background drowned out your voice half the time, so it was really tough to follow.  At 4:35 in the video, you want to use the green switch, not the blue one, then it'll work.  Lastly, I think you overpaid -- retail price is about 30% less. 
BAD Criticism:
  • Idiot! You got the whole entire thing backwards! How could you be so stupid?  Have you never heard of a manual?  Read it! Or do you not know how to read? And what, were you filming this at a dog shelter or something?  What on earth were you thinking in that empty shell of a skull of yours?  4:35??? Uh, hello?  Green, not blue, moron.  And guess what?  I got this for 30% less just this morning.  Wanna cry now?
Again, the "that guy" effect.  Same points made each time. A solid paragraph of criticism each time.  The first form might be a little humbling to read, but it's completely valid feedback.  The second form shouldn't ever even exist.

GOOD Criticism:
  • I don't like how you shaped the nose.  It looks pretty flat and lacks detail.  I'd suggest using two 1x2x2/3 slatted slopes instead.
BAD Criticism:
  • The front is awful, looks like something a 2 year old designed. Take that ugly garbage off right NOW and use two 1x2x2/3 slatted slopes instead. If you don't take this as constructive criticism you're a baby.
Yeah, no. Attempting to defend disrespectful vitriol as "constructive criticism" is as valid as starting a paragraph of personal insults with "No offense, but..."

GOOD Criticism:
  • If I had the space, time, & resources to build a diorama this big, I'd have to include an [insert desired feature here] instead of [insert existing feature].
BAD Criticism:
  • Take out [insert existing feature here] because it's a total waste of space and should never have been made in the first place. I don't want to see that useless garbage, so obviously absolutely nobody else wants to either. Replace it with an [insert desired feature here] or I will unsubscribe.
Same exact point of view, once conveyed with mature honesty, the other with entitlement topped with extortion.

Backstory:

There's a cardinal rule for maintaining sanity on the Internet:  If you see something that bothers you, just ignore it.  I'm fine with that rule.  I support anyone who chooses to adhere to that rule.  Sometimes, though, I personally choose not to adhere to that rule.  I look at another side of things:  To see something that's wrong and to ignore it is to be complicit.  Well, I see a lot of people criticizing others, which in & of itself isn't wrong at all. In fact, it's often a very healthy thing that can lead to constructive discussion and personal growth for the people involved.  What's wrong is how a lot of people criticize others. Really, really, really wrong.  To avoid complicity, when I see criticism delivered in a toxic, hostile, completely destructive way, I say something about it.  While this intervention is able to cease the direct offense against innocent victims, the perpetrators rarely take it the right way, spinning it around with even more of their own toxic thought processes.

I've written this post up so that I can offer a handy link that explains a lot more of where I'm coming from than any single comment on YouTube can.  I will continue intervening when I see nasty, destructive, vitriolic criticism in comments on my videos, no matter who or what it's directed towards.   I will also continue going out of my way to publicly acknowledge and thank folks who understand and freely and eloquently share mature, constructive, intelligent criticism, also no matter or what it's directed towards!

42 comments:

  1. I'm really glad Jang is taking a stand against all this stuff! As he's shown here, you can bring the same issue to light without insulting people. Derogatory and negative criticism doesn't fix the problem, it just makes people mad.

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  2. Thank you for posting this Jang i really appreciate how much time and effort you put into everything to make us viewers satisfied. It really bothers me when people write nasty horrible criticizing comments. I know it hurts you and it even hurts me to see how mean some people can be. So thank you for teaching us this lesson.

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  3. Very eloquently put, Jang.
    It shows that you care about the professional appearance of this blog.
    With all of the editing you have to sift through: it must be tough to keep a cool and level head, sometimes.
    As with most things a person can create; more work means a more neat appearance for the presentation.
    I'm grateful you clean up the replies before we (the fans) have to muddle through the juvenile and mean-spirited background noise (that's what I call it).
    Many of the other blogs out there should take their creative and professional cues from your examples.

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  4. Keep up the great work Jang! Don't let the career complainers get to you.
    John - BL, All The World's A Brick.

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  5. I like this post. People are just a little to harsh. They have to remember, those are people and people have feelings. People out there that's comments are mean and harsh, try saying to someone at there face. A little risky and difficult isn't. With the internet the only thing that's stopping face to face contact is a screen. So thanks Jang I learned a good lesson and so should people out there.

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    1. Internet due to impersonality, usually a valve to agression. It is like a collective dairy of humanity, we write it from moment to moment, trying to deal with our frustration of finding the meaning of life...

      Apart form philosophical aspects, Jang has right. Criticism has its importance in life. But it needs as far objectiveness as possible. Journalism's goal is that, but even the professionals got into big mistaces in that topic. I studied media on univeristy, so I see clearly.

      It is a hard task, 'couse for right judgement IQ is not enough. As Jang pointed it out, You can have a really complex review of something. Even in really sarcastic, sensational way. And for more you will find yourself the king of critics in this way, as you hit the button. I know, I also had this mistake, when I was learning to write articles. But lack of EQ it is like writing on the water: waste of time and energy. So many human has the task to learn that. I wish them good lessons, and it is nice to have an appropriet person in example! Thx Jang :)

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  6. Jang, you do what you do well. You are a person who truly tires to understand life deeper than the surface and the good people who come across you can feel that. Few people in the LEGO world can compare to you, and VERY few can compete. Stay who you are, and keep on building.

    Happy Building!,
    Lionon

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  7. Omg this guide is so stupid and you are advertising on it too smh greed at its finest. Honestly trying to tell em how to live my life? I was also very offended by how you kept referring to "that guy". Why not refer to "that woman"? This is extremely sexist, as it implies that only males make stupid, obnoxious comments. In fact, you probably think I am a male. So sexist smh. Anyway in sum (because you probably can't follow) 1. Very greedy having monetized ads 2. Very sexist and offensive to males 3. Just kidding bu seriously you should make this an example of how not to criticize (-:

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  8. What are you talking about and listen to me! You can't say that because I am just kidding:)

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  9. I recently saw you review the Lego Mars mission sets. Because those came out around the same time as the Lego Aqua raiders sets do you think you could review those sets as well?

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  10. Hi Jang, just wondering can you do a review of the Lego VW T1 camper van? I think it is a great display/playable model and it have some cool building techniques I wan to see. Congratulations for 400.000 subscribers!

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  11. Hey Jang can you reveiew the lego pictures for 2016 in early 2016 so i mean in December.

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  12. Can you do more reviews on lego Technic set i love them and i hope that you can post what i LOVE (Thx for reviewing lego better than all those other people)

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  14. Great article, as always Jang. B.T.W, Can you please try to do a custom model of the nativity scene? Since it is close to Christmas I think it would be super cool. P.S: To anyone who is offended by my beliefs, isn't freedom of religion in the U.S. Constitution?

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  15. Hi sir, im a medical laboratory scientisy in a hospital and a lego fanatic.ill just want to say that ur hospital moc is great but seens it was a hospital can u set up just a small space for the laboratory section..thanks ill appreciate it more...thanks again

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  16. I love your videos! Keep up the beautiful work, but could you please do some more comparrisons? With a-wing, at-te All slave1 etc? Would be awesome!

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  17. I was watching your video on the mega bloks apache set and in answer to your question the character in the beret is general shepard from modern warfare 2

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  18. good thing you did this jang

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  19. Hey Jang! Big fan of your videos. Please do more Technic videos, and Technic MOCs as well if you can. Thanks and cheers!!

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  20. Jang, great stuff you do! Are those Ikea tables? At What height are they coming when put together? Aprox in cm..

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  21. you seem really good at creating youre on lego stuff ( like you planetary defence force, i was thinkning that you should do like tutorials on how to make stuff that you have made

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  22. Do a video on your city. I love these. It is awesome to see what you are doing. Build a library for your city along with a supermarket.

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  23. JANG DO CITY BUILDS ABOUT JANG CITY. I am your biggest city fan. Build a library, store and a public school.

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  24. Great comments Jang and keep up your reviews. I don't always agree with them but we are all entitled to our own opinion and any review good or bad for a product helps others to make their minds up if they want it or not. Sincerely Mark. Legograndad instagramme. UK

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  25. Hello Jang, as a long time fan and viewer I want you to know that your opinions and reviews are a driving force for purchases in mega construx and lego product's for my family. You are so detailed and thorough and i wait for your reviews before I buy. In short, thank you for what you do!

    That being said I need to bring to your attention something I'm sure you yourself have thought and others no doubt but no one is seeming to talk about. To be specific I'm talking about exactly how much more detailed and flat out better the female targeted lego sets are than male targeted. From pieces to detail to just all of it! My biggest complaint is with homes or lego houses mainly... boys versions just flat out suck!!!

    In detail (please don't give up, bare with me)
    What I mean is that if boys get a house or home or anything it is so plain... so baron, so empty that it's really not livable in play. For example we get homes or apartments in creator or something and it either has a bed but no kitchen or bathroom.... or a bathroom but no bed or kitchen... or a kitchen and nothing else.

    Or we get two rooms (if we're lucky) it is the same problems I stated above and to make it worse no stairs... or no way to get to the second level. It is almost completely lacking accessories or play value!!! Where do our lego figures live??! And how? Now... compare that to the friends line and boom!!! Detail, loaded homes, boat houses, malls, hospitals... i mean loaded!!! With accessories and furnished and every room you'd need. Living rooms, kitchens complete with food, bathrooms, bedrooms, tvs,  stairs for access!!!! You get where im going with this?

    Now I understand boys and girls play differently and maybe no one has had issue with this but I bring this rant to you because of your fan base and just if anyone can address this or even start a dialog online it's you. Please bring this up in a review or video please!!!!!

    Thank you so much for your time Jang!!!!

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    1. I agree; with many non-Friends/Elves Lego themes with "houses" and buildings in general, there have been many areas lacking in detail. I have personally wanted Lego city to come out with more actual buildings (like detailed schools, libraries, shopping centers). As this comment was made in 2019, Emmett's Dream house is probably the most detailed house we've gotten recently (outside Friends). Also, the Castle of the Forsaken Emperor is another example of the issue (Jang did not like the lack of details/space to place figures in the "castle" build). Either we get a small space with more details, or we get a bigger space with few details. Of course, there's always a reason for this issue. The budget of each set always determines its size, so there needs to be a balance between the amount of space and detail. Of course, the great thing about Lego is that you could just build a house of your own and add details yourself. Any thoughts Jang?

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  26. Hey, I hope you get to read this but i think ur city is missing something. can u do a tutorial on how to build it if u do

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  27. Jang, i like the video you posted on oct 7, 2017. the little animal you made in the toy video looked like a Owl to me. comments were disabled and i know your about positivity so i thought i would tell you that i really liked the baby owl it was cute.

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  28. Hi Jang I love your channel, I watch it all the time. :) I have a rather silly wish for you. I would like to wish that you put a mountain goat , if there is such a thing in lego, on your new mountain :):):) it would make me very happy and think it would be cool for your creahtion :) thanks !!!

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  29. Hi, I just posted a constructive comment on your "Used LEGO sellers: Important Wake-Up call!" video, then realized you might not see it, since it was old. I value your response, so I'm reposting here. Your feedback (and advice) would be appreciated:
    "That's interesting! Our family were huge lego fans with a ton of sets. In December '18 my son decided to sell them to earn money to build a PC. He was so conscientious about listing on ebay. He would take pictures of the assembled sets. THEN, from the parts lists at the back of the manuals, painstakingly lay out every brick in order, WITH TWEEZERS no less, and take even more pictures to show prospective buyers what they are getting (bet you've never seen that before!). As an example check out one of our current Lego listings (https://www.ebay.com/itm/183095999832?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649). Additionally, our descriptions were as detailed as possible, pieces, manual, box, stickers, even features. Then my son would bag all the pieces by color/category, label them, and pack with tons of bubble wrap/tape. .....Unfortunately, we haven't had the success we should, even though we have 100% positive feedback with more than 50 toys/lego sets sold since December '18. (Other sellers have sold the above set (no box) for more then we're asking, but ours just sits there). ..... You see ..... the problem is that you, and many other collectors, only buy from dealers with, as you said, a lot of seller feedback, and I'm sure at the lowest price, and don't really give the other listings a chance. Huge dealers don't know the sets intimately the way an original owner would. So I think you answered your own question as to why this is happening more. I wish more people would give us "little guys" a chance, at least look at our listings, then decide. I think the time it takes to lay out all the pieces should be worth a few dollars more shouldn't it? Plus having a seller that really cares and would stand behind their listing if a mistake was made should count for something. (Another listing we sold with 1170 pieces took WEEKS for my son to do https://www.ebay.com/itm/182960996490?ul_noapp=true but at least there was a mom, not a collector, willing to buy it for a fair price." ~ht_addict

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  30. Hi jangbricks
    I'm a fan of your work..Love your lego videos.i was wondering if you had any advice for some starting there own lego city..i just don't know where to begin
    Thanks ann

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  31. Jang is da best!

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  32. I find it ironic how those who offer nonconstructive criticism, whether intelligent or not, will always make them look childish in comparison to someone who offers respectful and genuine criticism. Anyone who speaks/writes in a derogatory /vulgar manner towards any of the content you produce or creations you create have no place in the community you have built through your channels. Your level of decency and integrity towards your own principles make you stand out to me. It is wonderfully refreshing each time I watch your content. Keep up the great work JANG.

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