a point arose about this is not poetry

[Erthona]

Part of the problem, and we have seen it in this discussion, is that people feel no compunction about using hyperbole to characterize what someone else has said, causing the discussion to go on a tangent that is neither germane nor beneficial. I do not say this is done intentional, but I point out that this is often the same process that is occurring in a person's mind in relation to criticism. It is the nature of the beast that until we gain some separation between ourselves and what we write,we will continue to turn the smallest molehill into the largest mountain. Of course the critic must constantly question his motives so he does not use the critique as a platform to display his cleverness, or as a way to denigrate under the guise of being helpful, but to suggest that he should concern himself with the possible reaction to his words is to kill truth before it can be born. As it is said, "One man's poison is another man's passion. Or as it is demonstrated in the story of belling the cat, "it is easy to suggest impossible solutions".


Dale