Well here we are again, Ladies and Gentlemen. It's the umpteenth half of the ever ongoing game critics vs. artists. The referee has left the stadium aeons ago and we're yet unsure of why ever critics were invented and what artists are here for. But hey, somehow unfit writers need to have a space for letting out their frustrations and problems they carry along. Also, the artists, trying to get a grip on what they are actually doing, have almost given up.

The natural attitude of artists is that they are misunderstood and misinterpret - a critic's baseline is quite the contrary: they know everything and are capable of judging as fast as any officer at a drumhead court-martial. It remains a sad fact that both specimens are absolutely incompatible. And really the world would be a better place if they didn't take notice of each other at all. But the game goes on. It's where they meet and fight and argue and suffer. It's a love-hate relationship.

"I like criticism, but it must be my way."
(Mark Twain)

Since none of the acting teams is capable of breaking the tie, the audience as a neutral party will decide on what to think about a piece as they always did. It's their attention and applause that says something about the offerings. Whatever makes reviewers think what they are there for - the audience will silently ignore them. Actually the critic is a sad figure. Maybe it's a good idea to try and get into the head of one of them, just to catch a glimpse what their day feels like and what perils they have to face that justifies writing something without having to stand up for it in any case. Here's my reasoning why they are allowed to spice-up a text by putting-down people personally to get at least some attention.…

definitely - click to enlarge...

Cheers!

webmistress

P.S.: This may be used for decorating your office, for a proper preparation for your upcoming talk with your editor or for your next Fish & Chips' wrapping. That's what most newspapers end up like.

P.P.S.: Oh, this btw. reminds me of something - I gotta do my review…

P.P.P.S.: And always keep in mind: I myself decide who offends me.