Offering Solutions Rather Than Criticism

from the stop-bashing-your-head dept

stop bashing your head

Inspired by responses to Let’s Make More Regulations.

Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: criticism, head banging, solutions


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  1. icon
    Scooters (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 7:27am

    I'm but one person whose voice is drowned out by the
    complaints of "Why bother?"

    It's terrifying to see how many people believe they can't make a difference.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 7:28am

    Now THAT'S funny!

    We should have "insightful" and "funny" buttons for articles too.

    +1 funny

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 7:37am

    Finally, a cartoon to explains Nina's creative process.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Pixelation, 19 Aug 2011 @ 7:40am

    "What's the alternative?"

    Jail time.

    The solution was already given. Stop bashing your head.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. icon
    The eejit (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 7:42am

    Re:

    Finally, a comment to explain a moron's creative process.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. icon
    :Lobo Santo (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 7:44am

    Re: Re:

    ...so you're insulting Nina? That's cold man, real cold.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. icon
    That Anonymous Coward (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 7:48am

    So this explains why their ideas to "fix" the problem seem like they came from people with brain damage.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 8:00am

    For a while I was associated with a Professional Placement Network in the 1980s.

    It was surprising how many professional candidates first response upon becoming unemployed was not to do any activity that would eliminate their unemployment but instead engage for months at a time in the creation of forms and procedures that other candidates were required [in the opinion of the creditor] to complete and follow in order secure a new position. Not surprising most of these forms and procedures were in conflict with the forms and procedures created by other equal minded candidates or that most were completely ludicrous.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 8:01am

    Re: Re:

    Glad we agree!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. icon
    mike allen (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 8:22am

    Re: Re: Re:

    the moron is the AC not Nina that's how I read it.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. icon
    :Lobo Santo (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 8:26am

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Meh. Ambiguous phrasing is ambiguous.

    Could be read either way.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    rubberpants, 19 Aug 2011 @ 8:29am

    Re:

    You're a real pleasure, you know that?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. icon
    Mr. LemurBoy (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 8:36am

    Might I suggest and even larger club? ;)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. identicon
    out_of_the_blue, 19 Aug 2011 @ 9:43am

    So let's have your solutions!

    You need to label your characters for a start; I can't disambiguate the contradictory demand for solution with the character bashing itself on the head. I think that if you DO have a solution (to copyright, I presume, it's also left to imagination), then the industry actually /is/ waiting to hear it.

    So indeed, let's hear the solution. -- You MUST consider that for the industry, getting rid of copyright is a complete non-starter, will be rejected out of hand, won't get a hearing, they definitely and entirely won't accept it. -- So with regard to that REALITY, taking it as chiseled into granite, DISH.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    Rich, 19 Aug 2011 @ 10:06am

    Re:

    I see that your mom still haven't cut off your Internet privileges.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 10:36am

    that is worst one EVER...

    I dont know how you did it !!!

    Sorry...

    YOU suck Nina... thats freaking HOPELESS !!!!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 10:49am

    Its another rule - enforced "stop bashing your head"

    Nina did you read what you 'wrote' ????


    He DID offer a solution, and he DID NOT make any criticism.

    his solution STOP BASHING YOUR HEAD

    So not only is it stupid, it's WRONG....

    It is NOT critiscism to say "STOP BASHING YOUR HEAD"

    You might even say, it is a RULE
    I thought you were against more rules....


    Doesn't that cartoon (for want of a better name), state that MORE RULES are better ?

    He made a rule, that people are not allowed to bash their heads, and he is enforcing rule by stating "stop bashing your head" !.

    When you start telling people what they can do, and what they cannot do, that is making RULES..

    Nina dont give up your day job...
    You do not appear to really think much through Nina. Makes you lose what little credability you might of had, if any...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. icon
    xenomancer (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 10:52am

    Re: that is worst one EVER...

    Glad you found a problem. Now, care to offer a solution?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. icon
    xenomancer (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 10:56am

    Re: Its another rule - enforced "stop bashing your head"

    I'm fairly certain that "stop bashing your head!" was more of an emphatic plea for sanity (a solution!) than a draconian mandate (often a problem). Again, glad you found a problem and shared. Please let the rest of the class know when you come up with a solution.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. identicon
    darryl, 19 Aug 2011 @ 10:57am

    Re: So let's have your solutions!

    her solution is MORE RULES, starting with rule 1.

    You are not allowed to bash your head, and he is enforcing that rule.

    Criticism would have been "You are not doing it right", or "that club is not big enough" or "you are doing it all wrong".

    A Solution would be:

    "use that club, its bigger", "use a steel club", "put nails in it", "use a gun".

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 11:05am

    An ironic cartoon given that this blog complains endlessly about nearly everything, yet, when pressed for solutions they are either barely-sketched, wildly implausible, or some variant of "can't we just apply the scientific method to every economic/legal/social/political process and, you know, see what happens?" (Answer, by the way: no.)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. identicon
    darryl, 19 Aug 2011 @ 11:06am

    Re: So let's have your solutions!

    her solution is MORE RULES, starting with rule 1.

    You are not allowed to bash your head, and he is enforcing that rule.

    Criticism would have been "You are not doing it right", or "that club is not big enough" or "you are doing it all wrong".

    A Solution would be:

    "use that club, its bigger", "use a steel club", "put nails in it", "use a gun".

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. identicon
    darryl, 19 Aug 2011 @ 11:19am

    Re: Re: Its another rule - enforced "stop bashing your head"

    its still one person trying to enforce their will onto another person.

    that's a rule... enacted..

    Does that guy have any rights over who can or cannot bash their own heads ?
    Does he have a patent on it, or copyright.

    What if it said "Keep bashing your head" ?

    He wants to achieve a result, he wants to bash his head, a solution would be to make it easier for him to do it, but it appears he allready has found that solution, his solution is to use a club.

    He had a problem he needed to solve (to bash his head), he developed A METHOD to solve that problem, (using the club). He applied that solution to his problem, and some idiot comes up and tells him it is against 'his' rules and to STOP.

    Problem and solution:

    it this case, it appears the SOLUTION, is MORE RULES.

    Rule 1. Do not bash your head
    Rule 2. Do as I say.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. identicon
    darryl, 19 Aug 2011 @ 11:27am

    Re:

    ageed, but their 'method' is not what I would call "scientific" but more like "psychopathic method".

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. icon
    xenomancer (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 11:30am

    Re: Re: Re: Its another rule - enforced "stop bashing your head"

    Rule 1. We do not talk about the rules.
    Rule 2. We do not talk about the rules.
    Rule 3. Make a logical choice whether or not you are willing to follow stipulated rules.
    Rule 34. If it exists, there's porn for it on the internet.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. icon
    xenomancer (profile), 19 Aug 2011 @ 11:43am

    Re:

    I don't see why we can't apply the scientific method in those cases. Its pretty straight forward: guess, check, LEARN SOMETHING, rinse, repeat. There's a higher reason the United States was nicknamed "the grand experiment." Its not just because we were flying by the seat of our collective pants at its inception.

    "Our nation was founded as an experiment in human liberty."
    -John Foster Dulles

    "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty . . is finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American People."
    - George Washington

    "I believe that there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpation's."
    - James Madison

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 11:55am

    Re: So let's have your solutions!

    So indeed, let's hear the solution. -- You MUST consider that for the industry, getting rid of copyright is a complete non-starter, will be rejected out of hand, won't get a hearing, they definitely and entirely won't accept it.

    Translation: You MUST consider that for the industry, not bashing one's own head is a complete non-starter, will be rejected out of hand, won't get a hearing, they definitely and entirely won't accept it.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 12:01pm

    I see..

    The character on the right is just an anti-artist freetard trying to take away artists rights.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 12:36pm

    Re: Re:

    She's been dead for about 30 years, I doubt she could do it.

    Don't you feel like a shit now?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. identicon
    Zot-Sindi, 19 Aug 2011 @ 2:37pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    you agree that your comment was an insight into the creative process of a moron?

    hmm... glad we agree, too

    link to this | view in thread ]

  31. identicon
    Zot-Sindi, 19 Aug 2011 @ 2:38pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    P.S. i wasn't talking about nina since she didn't write the comment in question

    link to this | view in thread ]

  32. identicon
    Zot-Sindi, 19 Aug 2011 @ 2:40pm

    Re: that is worst one EVER...

    ironic title is insanely ironic

    i don't know how you did it !!

    sorry...

    that was the worst comment i ever read, YOU suck... trying to make comics to explain these things to morons ... that's a freaking HOPELESS QUEST !!!! gotta give her credit for trying though

    link to this | view in thread ]

  33. identicon
    Prisoner 201, 19 Aug 2011 @ 6:40pm

    Re: Re: So let's have your solutions!

    Two darryls, with the same message, with different timestamps and different (apparently) IPs.

    There can no longer be any doubt.

    Darryl is a troll-bot.

    Only one question remains; is "a method for wasting peoples time in a digital information sharing system" patented?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  34. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 19 Aug 2011 @ 11:11pm

    Re: Re: Re: Its another rule - enforced "stop bashing your head"

    He wants to achieve a result, he wants to bash his head, a solution would be to make it easier for him to do it, but it appears he allready has found that solution, his solution is to use a club.

    Darryl talking about himself in the third person like that is kind of creepy.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  35. icon
    Any Mouse (profile), 20 Aug 2011 @ 4:18am

    Re: So let's have your solutions!

    To put it bluntly? Fuck the industry. It isn't our job to fix this shit for them. They got themselves into the mess, they can get themselves out. Or die. The latter is preferable. And yes, we mean the recording industry. The music industry is doing just fine.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  36. icon
    RadialSkid (profile), 20 Aug 2011 @ 6:31am

    Re: Re: Re:

    Where'd you hide the body?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  37. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2011 @ 7:12am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Context

    link to this | view in thread ]

  38. icon
    doughless (profile), 23 Aug 2011 @ 2:10am

    Re: Re: Re: Its another rule - enforced "stop bashing your head"

    To start, I will admit Nina's cartoons can be hit or miss to me, but I can't help but notice this one either went way over your head, or you're being intentionally disingenuous (most people here assume the latter from you, which is why they keep labelling you as a troll).

    Your and others' comments are criticizing Nina's use of the word criticism by mentioning that the character didn't actually offer any criticism. If I'm interpreting the comic right, I think that's the whole point. The only person in the comic that misinterpreted the suggestion as criticism is the person bashing their head. Again, I'm interpreting that Nina's entire point is that most of the Techdirt community are trying to give rational suggestions to others that are interpreted as criticism.

    Second, that is really a stretch to say that offering a suggestion to someone else is enforcing a rule. When I offer a suggestion, you can choose (or not) to follow it. I see no attempt by the character in the final frame trying to force anything on the other.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  39. identicon
    The Dude, 24 Aug 2011 @ 1:46pm

    Eh... I've used this argument before...

    I had a professor who was going to the media with something that the university was doing to 'save money' that was infact losing it money... but he was just going forward with a complaint. I told him "You should do a cost/benifit analysis of this action vrs any other action for saving money you can do, and bring that to both the press and the heads of the university. You shouldn't just scream a complaint, it makes you look like a pointless complainer still fighting against the Vietnam war."

    link to this | view in thread ]

  40. identicon
    The Dude, 24 Aug 2011 @ 1:48pm

    Re: Eh... I've used this argument before...

    Which... if it's not obvious... is to say "Stop simply complaining and offer them alternatives and evidence for the fact that the alternatives are in fact better because they clearly don't know that or they wouldn't be doing this."

    link to this | view in thread ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.