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 I had hoped to start the new year off on a somewhat more pleasant note, but it seems that there are some folks who just don't want to "play nice." So, as I often do when faced with a major life decision, I approached Kosh like a pilgrim at the Oracle at Delphi and said to him, "Should I write this editorial?" His response? "Yes." (Thankfully, because I didn't have any other ideas to fall back on). So I thought I'd take a moment to remind people of some basic things. While I enjoy reading mail from readers, there is nothing more annoying
than mail that says "Your review of BOO BOO RUBBER PANIC (to borrow a title from Scott's column) sucked."
And have it be from "Anonymous." These mails immediately wind up in my trash bin, because if someone's not
willing to stand up and be accountable for their opinions, then why should they matter to anyone else?This brings me to the subject of opinions. Reviews are opinions, and as
an editor, I let the reviewer's opinion of a show stand. Not everyone likes BOO BOO RUBBER PANIC. But
just because you like something that someone else didn't, doesn't mean that they are wrong. Opinions, by
nature, are subjective, with no clear-cut right or wrong. Am I "wrong" because I do not like liver? The
people who also dislike it wouldn't think so, while those who do would say differently. But it is an
opinion, and certainly should not be the foundation for a major dispute. And anime is no different. Just because
I didn't enjoy ROLLER DERBY GODDESSES (thanks again, Scott!), does that mean that I should be the subject of scorn and ridicule?Don't get me wrong. EX gets negative mail. And, when there is clear thought
and reasons, I address them. I have responded personally to people who have had problems with
particular reviews I have written, and the result was usually a pleasant e-mail conversation. No troops
were rallied, Congress was not called into session to declare war, and the wagons didn't need to be circled.
Legitimate complaints will be given attention, and opinions can be shared and discussed.The Vorlons have a saying: "Understanding is a three-edged sword." (And when they talk,
we really should pay attention since they don't say very much very often.) Nowhere does this seem
more obvious than amongst the anime community. There are three sides to every argument: Your side. Their Side. And the
Truth. In debates of a purely subjective nature, such as a review, however, the "truth" becomes something even more
abstract than it really is. Some try to maintain that their opinions would be "closer" to the actual truth, but the real truth
of this situation is this: People have different opinions. Especially when the topic at hand is something so subjective,
such as what a person finds entertaining.When debating topics close to people's hearts, many tend to succumb to the "I am the World"
way of thinking that Scott Adams mentioned in his THE JOY OF WORK. Here's an example: "I don't like the Nintendo 64.
Therefore, no one likes the Nintendo 64." Other equally flawed argument tactics may follow, but no matter what you say, it is most
unlikely that you can change someone else's opinion. Not that you can't try, but you should realize that the battle
is an uphill one. So the next time you feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up as someone maligns your favorite show,
singing group, book, or alien race, just remember that everyone doesn't agree all the time. If we did, after all,
there'd be no variety in life.
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  Charles McCarter
All contents submitted to EX are submitted and published on the basis of full assignment of copyright, unless otherwise agreed in advance and in writing. EX recognizes all copyrights and trademarks. Where possible, we acknowledge the copyright holder. Please contact us if we haven't credited your copyright and we'll correct any oversight. EX is a publication of The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. EX: The Online World of Anime & Manga ©1996-1999 EX, The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. All Rights Reserved. |
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