Criticism of anything is usually a huge punch in the gut. Whether it's a correction on an essay or professional art critique of your piece, it hurts. It's not just a critique of what you have done or made that stings but it's also when someone comments on that favourite band or favourite book of yours that hits home. Let's face it, there has been at least one time where someone makes a demeaning comment of that one thing you love and you instantly have your game face on or NO-YOU'RE-WRONG-I'M-RIGHT face on. I completely understand, the whole thing is quite painful because sometimes your preferences are a representation of yourself and for someone to point out a fault in it is to point out a fault in you and suddenly everything is personal and everything hurts. But it doesn't matter whether it is personal all over, read it first. Read it and think before you say anything, anything at all.My friend once wrote a journal about a person who did a whole analysis essay on this one story she absolutely loves, adores, and, at the time, obsessed over. She was a classic 'fangirl' of this series and was in absolute rage when she read it. Wait, no, she didn't read it. She read the title and instantly threw a huge hissy fit over it. The essay talked about how the show was not feminist in the sense that it made the stereotypical damsel in distress and the stereotypical sexy female villain but the essay also stated that at some points it does support the female side of the story and let them have the spotlight at some points. I read it all and it was completely rational. My friend on the other hand, didn't and was very irrational about it.
She claimed the author of the essay had no right to write such a thing and said that the author 'probably never watched the show' and was completely incompetent. She even stated that she had sent a rant comment but the author disabled comments on her piece because 'she was a total coward' (my friends words). She mentioned that she didn't read it because it was 'way too boring, tl;dr' but if she DID read it she would've realized that the evidence that the author used makes it clear that she was/is still a fan of the show but wanted to share her honest opinion. If she DID read it, she would've realized that the author says that there are some good female characters that beat the stereotype. If she DID read it she would've realized that she disabled comments because so many people like her have sent huge rants to about her article and about half of them have not bothered to read her essay either.
I found myself face-palming myself as I read my friend's rant. Imagine how embarrassing it is to have to see that one huge rant you made on the internet that was irrational, unreasonable, and ignorant? And imagine how oppressed, hurt, and/or insulted the author must have felt to have so many people complain and insult her about the essay to her even though they've never even gave her analysis one read? This is the internet and though you may feel secure behind the pixelated wall of anonymity , everything you do it leaves a mark. It leaves a mark on the intended reader if they do read it and it leaves a mark on you and your reputation. Nowadays, people look up your name on the internet to see your back story when hiring people for jobs or even just to get to know you and the huge rant you wrote on how 'stupid' someone else is because they don't like your show might just come up. So if you do want to even participate in a debate to defend the reputation of your favourite show, story, book, celebrity or etc. then at least read what that person has to say and take a good look at both sides of the argument. Then you won't look like an idiot or hurt anyone's feelings.
