More Critting Needed, Critical: Too many uncritting critters Options

[Guest_Jox_*]

Ok, not quite critical but take a look, anyway..

I've noticed that Lori's popped into a couple of threads to remind us that those particular ones are for critting and the submissions were going considerably off track.

She is right.

I am as guilty as anyone so I think I may be able to suggest what was happening. On one thread a collaborative poem was set up and thus people kept adding. On another we did discuss the work but it rather changed into a few people chatting about Shakespeare's Greatest Hits.

So, in neither case, was anyone being in the least awkward or unhelpful; we simply wandered off the path.

I actually had to ask Alan to pop into Socrates to see one of my works (thanks, again, Alan) because too few people are there. I think, perhaps, we need to get about and do some serious critting - it will benefit us all. Sure, banter is fine and there are forums for that. Moreover, the crit forums will never stick rigidly to critting. However, there is much critting to be done and we do let people down if we don't all "get stuck in". After all, that is why most of us came to MM in the first place - to learn and improve.

Here endeth this evening's lesson. You may now boogie to Shakespeare's Greatest Hits with Bacon on Sax and Chris Marlow on glockenspiel. (Watch out for Webster with too many symbols!)

Signed, One of The Guilty Ones!

[Psyche]

Hi Sylvia,

You seem to think that you might have "put your foot in it?" Well, you certainly shouldn't think that at all - debate is great and, as I started this thread, I'm especially delighted that it has been re-invigorated by your posting. You've done nothing wrong at all and everything right, as far as I can see - and I'm sure others would agree.

Now, I was not actually disagreeing with your point; quite the contrary; I try to visit some people with few comments, too. However, I was also pointing out that those that do crit most do deserve crits in return; I don't even think these views are mutually exclusive; I think each has its part in the compromise.

As regards your "personal philosophical outlook that probably doesn't apply here," I'm sure it does. In Britain we say "what goes around, comes around" - though you express it better than the saying. As you argue, if A helps B then B may help C and so on. B may never help A directly - but Z may well.

I think all I was saying is: sure that's correct but if A is directly helping B-Z then A does deserve some extra crit for their efforts. Hopefully, that would not for a moment stop those with few crits being helped, either.

I hope all that makes sense.

Bad luck having to use cyber cafes all the time... mind you, you probably get decent coffee!

Now you've mentioned that Lori only had two visitors I'll try to find it. Mind you, if it's in a crit forum, she may not thank you for pointing my nose in that direction. I am to poetic forms what a bulldozer is to a grape. Ouch! Still, I try!

Thanks (I mean that) for your postings, Sylvia.

James.

Hi James !
Thanks for replying and you're so right about A deserving plenty of crits if she/he is reading and/or critin B to Z. Right on !
Anyway, Grace and Cleo need not fear my not visiting them, because I keep track of them to learn about the latest innovations in poetry, such as SWAP QUATRAINS !!!
And Grace was experimenting with double cinquains, so I took the opportunity to learn a bit from her own experiences and didn't quite make a hash of it... I wonder what she's up to now, must have a peep and steal an idea or two....
Yes, I'm sure we agree basically, I'm glad this dialogue ensued and that it's been welcome. There's quite a crowd around here now !

Hugs,
Psyche