The Critic and the Creator

“It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” – Aristotle

Critics critique by pointing out how they would have done things, but the creator is in charge of how their creation turns out. Thus, the relationship between the critic and the creator. One takes action and the other watches. But strange enough, both are needed. As Oscar Wilde said, “The critic has to educate the public; the artist has to educate the critic.” So, what are creators to do? Keep creating. Because in the end, you are creating for yourself and your audience, not the critic.

And what does that leave for critics to do? Choose to take positive action over spewing negative words. Rather than scold those who are willing to put their hearts and souls into something, show us how you would do it better. Not out of spite, but from a space of necessity. (Trust me, there are thousands of other people who are ready to take your place, criticizing the work of others. We will not miss out on knowing how awful something is.)

It would not pain the rest of us to see your work. We actually need your creation more than your critique. In fact, let your creation become your critique.