What Levnetters Are Saying About Me

Also I hardly see what's at all constructive about it when it's done under the assumption that the person being criticised won't be able to read it. Why not just email the person if that's the way it is?

That is something you will have to take up with the person who made the statement.

I however did forward my replies to the comments made to the person involved, which is how this posting originated.

In any event, it is unreasonable for someone who posts content in a public forum such as the internet to expect to be made aware of all opinions and discussions, good or bad, made about them. It's just not going to happen.

That would be unreasonable, yes. It's not where I'm coming from though. There's something smelling really wrong about these lengthy (and borderline narcissistic) posts that, it has been acknowledged, would not be made if the subject of them could read it.

Unfortunately, it's just a fact of life that we cannot escape. To get what we wany and need in life, it is necessary to tolerate both the good and bad from other people. The workplace is a prime example.

In regards to onanism, it's an analogy that can easily be extended to cover any activity that brings a person some degree of pleasure. For example someone's obsession about playing technique, the need for someone to protest against it, or my need to point out the obvious. We're all guilty.

[i](Note: Since I have not been a Levnet subscriber for nearly six months, my comments have nothing to do with anything that may be happening on Levnet -- rather, my comments are just general thoughts on the topic of critique/criticism.)[/i]

Jeff wrote:

[i]"To get what we wany and need in life, it is necessary to tollerate both the good and bad from other people. The workplace is a prime example."[/i]

I think that toleration is better than hostility however I believe that "to tolerate others" is the first of many steps to a better world.

I believe that to bring out the best in others is a higher goal than tolerance. For me to reach my goals I must encourage others to reach their goals.

To be "sliced and diced" by critics is part of artistic life. Such criticism just "is". Equally true is that one cannot please everybody. Even professional critics don't always agree. Check out IMDB and look at the reviews... even great filmmakers get effusive praise along with nasty reviews. The highly lauded "Citizen Kane" has plenty of negative comments, too!

We perform into each listener's experience and bias. To get an unbiased review is difficult, indeed.

I believe that all great pursuits are uphill battles. To push oneself artistically one risks criticism, or even ridicule. However, if one is clear on his/her artistic goals, then one can better deal with challenges. To deal with criticism is a minor issue compared to dealing with technical and artistic issues.

Keep all things in perspective -- incuding internet mailing lists. Pursue your artistic goals with passion!

Attn GordonC: Please forward this post to Levnet, Thank you,

To all: I understand the fear of being dragged into a defensive debate over colicited, or unsolicited crituque, as Peter Pringle has pointed out.

In my case, as I've pointed out, all comments, and critique are welcome. And I should make it clear that you can feel confident about either talking about me amungst yourselves, or directly to me without fear of me dragging you into a debate over your oppinions, or suggestions. If they work, I'll use them, If not, then I'll simply try something else, but I don't waste time debating issues of critique. I gave that up a very long time ago.

I'll be posting more videos in the future, and if you wish to send a comment my way through youtube or to me at thomasgrillo1701@comcast.net, feel free to do so. If you just want to talk about my work, that's fine too. Just know that as far as I'm concerned, use me as an opportunity to pass on your knowlege, and experience without fear of reprisal. If I make a million of your teachings, I'll not forget who got me there.

That's all I have, and I consider the matter closed as far as I'm concerned.

Good luck, and keep up the great works.

Thomas Grillo

Thomas, you have it right. One rule I have when I play music with anybody (in fact, the only rule) is that they should tell me if they think I suck and I will do the same for them.

They can also tell me how great I am if they want but that is not quite as important as constructive criticism.

Unfortunately, on the internet, people tend to be a little more free with the negative comments and criticsims. It is very easy to be rude to someone when you are not staring at them in the flesh.

One thing I have always love about this forum is the positive attitude we all have.

There are very few insults and Theremin Worlders are always happy to help out a newbie.

Have you ever read some of the comments about videos posted on youtube? In doing so you open yourself to ALL kinds of remarks from ALL KINDS of people, many of whom may not have the slightest clue what they are commenting on (the theremin for instance).

I've had my issues with a couple of people over the years, but I've never been willing to lower my standards in retaliation. I'm not sure who some comments (about hostility for instance) are in reference to, but if anyone feels that I am the source of these issues, they are always free to email me in private and discuss it with me. However, I can't guarantee you will get the satisfaction you may be seeking.

Where comments posted at youtube are concerned, unless I know they are thereminworlders, or Levnetters, I usually just thank them politely, and move on.

Oh, dang it! I left the theremin on all night, agian!

Nice job there, Tom.

At least it should be all warmed up for you now.

The thing about internet criticism is the same as with in the flesh criticsim. You have to consider the source. Is it someone whose opinion you would seek out? Are the commetns mean-spirited or constructive?

Do they come from someone like Peter Pringle or just some troll who is out to have a little fun at someone else's expense?

This is not an indictment of Levnet. I haven't been on Levnet at all or YouTube lately so I don't know what they are saying.

It seems to me that the best thing you can do is to do exactly what you are doing. Welcome any and all critiques and sort out the wheat from the chaff on your own.

That will give you information on your playing and disarm those who just want to pick on people. Hopefully, the drama will move on and only sincere constructive criticism will remain.