Squandrous

Taking the criticism

I had a conversation about film criticism with my friend a few days ago, and he was convinced that the critic had no place in today’s society. I was appalled, but I definitely wasn’t eloquent enough to explain why I felt that most critics are more important than other kinds of journalists.

Luckily, Robert Niles nails it in his recent blog post. Here’s a great excerpt:

Here’s a crazy thought: How about a newspaper that’s nothing but critics? That is, experts with the training and experience to report news as well as to place it in an appropriate context for readers. Let them be the voices and leaders of their communities, and scrap the “straight” news reporters who too often bring nothing to a story beyond stenography. Let these critics cover the arts, entertainment and sports… as well as business, labor, education, the environment and politics.

In a hypercompetitive news market, newsrooms need more educated, informed and unique voices, not fewer. The critics ought to be the last journalists to go.

Some great ideas in that post. I’m going through a bit of a blog slump right now, or I’d write more about it. Instead, come talk to me in person (on Twitter, IM, etc.) and we’ll have a good chat.