Criticism is not a binary circumstance. While there is certainly constructive criticism and derisive criticism, so to is there merely being critical of something with no intent either to aid or hamper whatever efforts are being spoken of: Constructive : "X sucks because you used too much Y" Derisive : "X sucks because you're stupid" Neither : "X sucks." While the third example is largely opinion, so too is all form of criticism no more or less than one's expressed opinion. Not that any such opinion is _right_ merely because it is expressed, but neither is it wrong for the same reason. Being critical of something is the perogative of anyone and everyone; one does not need the "right" to be critical bequeathed upon them by some third party. Such severity of limitation on one's ability to exercise their thoughts and opinions is nigh upon tyranny, insomuch as it is the arbitrary restriction of what would then become the privelidge of the few. While "tyranny" may be a strong word, it is correct in at least the classic sense; "I have sworn...eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" -- Thomas Jefferson. Ultimately, people at Tor who make it their business to get people to buy books (and hopefully read them) have their own opinions about how this should best be gone about. Our criticisms of their practices and choices vary from one end of the spectrum to the other no doubt, but I believe we should all keep in mind that we are, in the end, dealing with people in Marketing and Business Development. Having been in that field, I feel I can safely say that the only form of criticism that is at all heeded is market share and return-on-investment. As such, the only way you and I can truely affect their choices in the future is to not buy what we don't like, and buy more of what we do. Hopefully my comments here have been constructive; if not, I apologize, because that was my hope. Sincerely, Peter / Yaga > "Warlord" <warlord at dragon.com> writes: > > > Good points. I'll go along with being an injured party grants > > you certain rights to criticize. But then, you paid for that > > priviledge. Steve, for example, has the right to criticize > > any artwork that he (or through Tor) contracts. > > > > As far as the difference between a comment and criticism, I > > fall back on example: > > > > Comment: I like (or dislike) that piece of art work. I think > > it would look better with more lighter hues. > > > > Criticism: That sucks, and the artist should stick to cartoons. > > Hmmm; I'd call the first criticism, and the second "attack". And an > explicit attack on the creator as well as on the work. > > Anyway I agree that the second doesn't serve much purpose. > -- > David Dyer-Bennet, <dd-b at dd-b.net>, <www.dd-b.net/dd-b/> > RKBA: <noguns-nomoney.com> <www.dd-b.net/carry/> > Photos: <dd-b.lighthunters.net> Snapshots: <www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/> > Dragaera mailing lists: <dragaera.info/> >