Timeout Blog Critics

After reading the article in Timeout, it seems that out of all of the blog critics Donna Seaman’s view on a blog criticism is the most accurate. She seems to be the most passionate and dedicated to her work with her saying, “Passion must be lead to discipline and immersion. Expertise is gained from sustained attention”. This is a very unique way in looking at what makes a good critic, discipline and sustained attention. Donna explains, “A critic has to be able to imagine many responses, and see the experience in a greater content”. In a way it’s almost like saying “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. A critic should gain knowledge and experience through their reviews and reactions to the readers, that’s how a critic can evolve them even if the results are good or bad. Donna also says, “Trust is crucial. As is integrity. We won’t like everything, but when you slam something, you have to be sharp and precise”. Couldn’t agree more though since Donna does write reviews for books, she would probably have to go into greater detail onto why the book was bad, for film and music you could probably get away with a lot more. The discussion then shifts to the critic’s discussion about Internet blogging, Donna says that, “We’re seeing a rapid evolution of websites, however. As print may go to the way of the dinosaurs, there is more traditional editorial professionalism online. We want everything for free. Especially in Cyberland”. Donna explains that those who work in print actually work double time to cover an online edition of a book, but for no extra money. Showing that this critic is willing to read the exact same version of a book online all over again.

The digital world is also much more free driven and open to criticism, it’s a lot easier being yourself and writing a review online than writing something for a newspaper. You can envelop on information easier and you don’t have deadlines or limited word count either. The interviewer asks “For those of us who do get paid for our writing, would you still do it if you weren’t? Would you head to Blogspot and keep cranking it out”? At the end of the day all the critics say “yes” to this question showing that all the critics are the real deal. It doesn’t matter if you make money or not it’s just the thrill of the hunt and a deep compassion for writing and journalism.