Like many geeks, I've browsed a good few fan forums over the years. Some of what people say is insightful, some of it is hilarious, but you do start to notice recurring point scoring techniques used in debates. I am particularly amused by the use of the word "honesty" in relation to criticism. According to certain sections of fandom, saying that you like something means that you're "sucking up" to the creators of that particular thing. On the other hand, if you say you don't like something, then you are being "honest". How is that supposed to work? What on earth makes negative criticism more "honest" than positive criticism?
In this case "honesty" translates as "agreeing with that other poster". I guess it stems from that negative poster's frustration that not everyone agrees with his or her own viewpoint. There's probably a psychological condition to explain this.
If I happen to like something, I'll say so. If I happen to dislike something, I'll say so. Just don't try telling me that I'm being "honest" or "sucking up". My thoughts are my own. Not anyone elses. I rarely come across any piece of fiction or art that I completely dislike, but if I do, I will say so.
A note to forum posters: No-one is ever going to completely agree with you on anything, ever. You just have to learn to live with it. Trying to convince yourself that the other person is a hypocrite for not agreeing with you just isn't going to work. I'm afraid that's life.
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