Creators and critics

The old saying is, “those who can, do and those who can’t, teach.”

I don’t necessarily agree with the sentiment. I believe the best teachers are those who have done something worth passing down to another.

It would be better changed to, “those who can, do and those who can’t, criticize.”

It’s another one of those ways we divide people. There are two kinds of people in the world, those who create and those who criticize the creators and their work. Find someone who is creating something to benefit others and right behind him, you will find someone criticizing what he has done, what he is doing or how he is doing it.

The reason the critic even exists is because there are people willing to listen to him. It’s interesting really. The food critic cannot cook like the chef, but criticizes the creation. The movie critic cannot produce and direct a film, but criticizes the project. The armchair fan was never given consideration for the coaching position, but knows all of the reasons why the team isn’t doing well this season.

Critics exist because there are other critics wanting to know what she has to say. Critics have their own circles and run with people of similar mindset. The trouble comes when creators fail to do the same. Instead of listening to what the critics are saying, the creator should be sharing ideas with other creators.

Shun the critics in your life and focus on the work. Where no wood is, the fire goeth out and where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.