Constructive criticism is always helpful. I tend to block out the unhelpful stuff, most of the time it comes from haters, or people who just are jealous at what you have and how well you use it.

Yes, people who think you lack talent are haters. What are you, 12? Haters? Really? Or are you just 1993 incarnate?

See, the problem when you say things like "block out the unhelpful stuff" is that most people see anything that doesn't fit with their views of the self as unhelpful. This sort of advice to people can be crippling. It leads to rubbish like Eragon and Terry Goodkind. These self-congratulatory assholes who have no real talent and are nothing but glorified fan-fiction writers. Just because criticism isn't worded in a pleasant, pat-you-on-the-back fashion doesn't make it untrue. Pay attention to all criticism. That's how you better yourself.

But by all means, listen to the sycophants and ignore people who say things you don't agree with. I'm sure you'll go far.

So you don't think there's such a thing as baseless criticism?

Alterminded didn't say anything about criticism needing to come with lots of euphemisms and kind words; he just said there are people that do criticism not to be helpful or constructive, but merely to try and take down the people whose work is successful.

He also didn't specify that baseless criticism was the point of his post. Even if it were, taking on board whatever people happen to say to you can give you miles of self-improvement. This is of course assuming the criticism is more than "fuck you, that's absolute shite".

I didn't say alterminded DID infer that. What I said was that it is bad advice to give someone. Someone who has the ego necessary to think they can be a professional writer/filmmaker whatever are often not the best judges of what criticism is valid and what isn't.

Wasn't saying anything about alterminded's intent, I was speaking of the fallout of the brand of advice he's offering.

Well I mean this in the sense of a music Producer/DJ who happens to work at 2 clubs with residencies, which happens to be my line of work coincidentally (o shi-). I always have people come up to me and say good job and whatever, which really doesn't give much input on how i do (since most people are drunk when they say this). Few people who work DJ shifts at other clubs come by and tell me how i did technically, harmonically, and how i did my transitions and kept the party going, which would be constructive and the best kind of advice to offer. Now, then come these douchebags like, lets say Cedric Gervais (look him up) who is a pompous ass, dildo jamming, tasteless prick who talks down to you and thinks your sets are shit, which I might add are just intimidation. I have had people tell me that he is afraid of the next generation of people coming in and taking over his spot in Space (another club). Again, if you can't give me validation as to why i suck, It doesn't count.

Sorry if I implied the following mindset:
http://imageftw.com/uploads/20080829/WOODHUY.png

With my actions and words, I have the intent of improving myself and the world around me. I realized some time ago the limitations that come along with working in isolation, so I readily accept the contributions of others, be they kind or harsh, as long as it can be applied to the issue at hand. Otherwise, I could not have a realistic expectation of accomplishing the difficult tasks I wish to complete.

There's a shoutbox on every corner. I'd look out for felons and ex-cons, though. They make pretty good points.

I agree and disagree with you. I believe that you need a certain amount of people that will criticize your every move, whether constructive or not. Because if you do that, you will begin to realize the things that are needed to improve yourself. Those kinds of people will never probably agree with you and may always argue, but if you continue to improve yourself and become a better person at who you are and what you do, other people will notice it. Over time, you will get the support of other people that may have once criticized you but saw your improvements and now see the positive changes.

In the end, you need a healthy balance of supporters, on the fence people, and people who will always criticize you. In this way, you will be able to see the good things you have done, the people who have changed their view of you, and still continue to see and hear the things you need to improve on. In this way, you will always evolve into something better than before.

I don't think it's that easy to receive criticism; No one likes to receive it, and I can understand why many people think its hard to reat normal to it. From my own experience: All the people I heard getting criticism didn't react very well.
For example, I gave my friend a bit criticism, and she immediately began attacking the way I put it, and didn't do anything with the criticism itself. Ofcourse, there are better and worse ways to give it, but after explaining she didn't talk to me anymore.
I won't get into details, but I'm just trying to say that I think its hard to recieve criticism, and that there are only a few people who will see it as constructive, or being for the better.

I really like criticism. In fact, I thrive on it. I have the mindset that if I'm not learning or improving myself in some way, then I'm wasting time.

Having been a graphic design major, I learned to take criticism very well. It's always good to listen to someone else's ideas on your work and see how the view it--because even if their view of it is wrong, it's still their view and others might possibly see it the same way--even if it is so horribly wrong.

I actually hate praise. I'd rather have harsh technical criticism just so I know where I can improve. Cause everyone has an idea of what they'd do something different. And they're all things to be considered, BUT not always followed through on.

I wish I could be like that ...cause it's so true to act like this.

I act more like you & I do think it's connect to the fact that I'm also low-self esteem person, but lately I handle it more well because I do think my self esteem got a little better over the years.

Ignore em. Critics are punk bitches.