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This analogy doesn't work on a lot of cases. Lets say you're served a plate full of something you find disgusting. How could you critic it? You're not the cook.

This analogy doesn't work on a lot of cases. Lets say you're served a plate full of something you find disgusting. How could you critic it? You're not the cook. Now, you could say this case is not similar since it is "used by millions", but a lot of systems that are universally agreed to be bad are used by millions. Hence why a lot of people in HN are trying to "disrupt" said space (or market). TL;DR Using what you're given to work with and being content with what you're using are two different things and should not measure the quality of said thing. PS.- This is not to say I believe Brad Cox is bad or Objective C is bad, I haven't used it ever. Is just the "if you can't do it don't criticize it" mentality I'm not for.

sitharus 12y ago
That's true, but "Lol that sucks" helps nobody. Most people are fine with constructive or subjective criticism, like "I don't like Objective-C because I really like pushing the shift key for my braces". From there you can suggest alternatives, or figure out a way to improve the system. If you can't put enough effort in to a comment to express your opinions you'd be better off using that time elsewhere.
melling 12y ago
" but a lot of systems that are universally agreed to be bad are used by millions. Hence why a lot of people in HN are trying to "disrupt" said space (or market)." So, these people don't like the systems and are jumping into the arena? That's great. Someone is adding value. They're no longer just a critic.
mwfunk 12y ago
I don't interpret the quote as meaning "if you can't do it don't criticize it". It's just saying that it's much more noble to attempt to do hard things and fail, than it is to do nothing but take cheap shots at those who are trying. In this context I think it was more a reflection on the cheapness of the shot and what it says about the people making the cheap shots. There's a big difference between honest criticism and "your thing sucks, haha!"

sitharus 12y ago

That's true, but "Lol that sucks" helps nobody. Most people are fine with constructive or subjective criticism, like "I don't like Objective-C because I really like pushing the shift key for my braces". From there you can suggest alternatives, or figure out a way to improve the system. If you can't put enough effort in to a comment to express your opinions you'd be better off using that time elsewhere.

melling 12y ago

" but a lot of systems that are universally agreed to be bad are used by millions. Hence why a lot of people in HN are trying to "disrupt" said space (or market)." So, these people don't like the systems and are jumping into the arena? That's great. Someone is adding value. They're no longer just a critic.

mwfunk 12y ago

I don't interpret the quote as meaning "if you can't do it don't criticize it". It's just saying that it's much more noble to attempt to do hard things and fail, than it is to do nothing but take cheap shots at those who are trying. In this context I think it was more a reflection on the cheapness of the shot and what it says about the people making the cheap shots. There's a big difference between honest criticism and "your thing sucks, haha!"