←back to thread

A Love Letter to People Who Believe in People

(www.swiss-miss.com)
377 points NaOH | 3 comments | 24 Apr 25 22:35 UTC | HN request time: 0.578s | source
Show context
HanClinto ◴[25 Apr 25 14:08 UTC] No.43793725[source]▶
This is so needed. This was a very encouraging article.

"Being a fan is all about bringing the enthusiasm. It’s being a champion of possibility. It’s believing in someone. And it’s contagious. When you’re around someone who is super excited about something, it washes over you. It feels good. You can’t help but want to bring the enthusiasm, too."

Stands in contrast to the Hemingway quote: "Critics are men who watch a battle from a high place then come down and shoot the survivors."

It feels socially safe, easy, and destructive to be a critic.

I'd rather be a fan.

replies(15): >>43793906 #>>43794073 #>>43794235 #>>43794376 #>>43794398 #>>43797022 #>>43797229 #>>43797763 #>>43797960 #>>43798310 #>>43798439 #>>43800608 #>>43801652 #>>43801753 #>>43801843 #
1. igorkraw ◴[25 Apr 25 20:00 UTC] No.43797960[source]▶
I really believe in the importance of praising people and acknowledging their efforts, when they are kind and good human beings and (to much lesser degree) their successes.

But, and I mean their without snark: What value is your praise for what is good if I cannot trust that you will be critical of what is bad? Note that critique can be unpleasant but kind, and I don't care for "brutal honesty" (which is much more about the brutality than the honesty in most cases).

But whether it's the joint Slavic-german culture or something else, I much prefer for things to be _appropriate_, _kind_ and _earnest_ instead of just supportive or positive. Real love is despite a flaw, in full cognizance if it, not ignoring them.

replies(2): >>43799343 #>>43799615 #
2. worik ◴[25 Apr 25 23:11 UTC] No.43799343[source]▶
> I really believe in the importance of praising people and acknowledging their efforts, when they are...

alive!

At a funeral of a controversial activist, where all the living activist sang their praise, I watch their child stand up and say "...where were you all when my dad was alive"

I now go out of my way to tell people I admire them, if I do, while they are still here.

3. LtWorf ◴[25 Apr 25 23:56 UTC] No.43799615[source]▶
Yeah, I live in sweden and a compliment by a swede about how I play music is completely meaningless to me. On the other hand a compliment from my bosnian or croatian friends is a big deal.