Critical Condition

The newest generation expects everything for free...and they expect it fast. The new media and social networking rapid influx over the years has given everyone the power to review or critique movies, music, art and your range of kitchen products. The “roundtable” or literal chat room debate from professional print critics to a pseudonymous book blogger over what makes for a good critic, compensation in the digital vs. print world and combing through internet reviews was littered with good ideas and realizations.

Sam Jones it appears has made his online literary reviewing foray in late 2002, or at least, that is how far back his blog dates back to. It seems as though he has fallen off the blogging wagon, having only written two blog posts in 2010, perhaps after having an epiphany from Critical Condition. Further research finds he seems to be a more avid Twitter user, maybe 140 characters was more his style.

Sam Jones took me on an interesting rollercoaster while reading his logged responses. He first grabbed my attention during the harmonious conversation on passion driving a good and well rounded critic. The moderator, Kris Vire, questions where education fits into passion for reviewing. I feel like some of the critics take her comment for a critical assessment of someone whom is not formally educated or has further education after high school. Sam thinks a good critic must have a strong knowledge base of what they are reviewing, the field and the surrounding. He writes, “Formal education is probably not more important than passion, but knowledge of the medium you’re criticizing is.” I feel like he hits spot on point. A person who calls themselves a critic should be able to understand the foundation or core of what they are reviewing and not just in a formal sense, through reading and past experiences.

When the conversation turns to making a living off of critiquing Sam takes the standard business response, “The question is whether the market appreciates the editorial function enough to pay for it.” It brings me back to a previous line when he basically insinuates that maybe his hobby or passion is writing or critiquing yet he has not devoted his career to this, “And yet I know it’s a practical fact that someone who has devoted their career to this, at their best, will be far better than anything I can do.” It immediately made me feel disconnected from him, was he possibly one of these Joe Schmoes that wrote for the sake of writing because it was free and easy.

I think overall it was interesting to see how Sam responded to the conversation being one of the little guys that it is so easy to break down. Yet, I feel he barely made a blip in the conversation to really try and stand up for his online presence.