The Case for Criticism: It's How We Evolve

I can still hear my dad telling me when I was a kid, “Son, If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say it”. That sounded pretty good at the time…and it sounds quaint now….but in many circumstances, criticism is just the right medicine..

I also hear people saying …”Don’t judge!". I’ve often wondered what that truly means…..for one thing, to “not judge” is totally impossible…We, as humans, are "judging" constantly…..our lives are a non stop “rat tat tat” of judgments…like a gatling gun. When we meet someone we are evaluating (judging) whether a person is nice, intelligent, attractive, honest, competent, trustworthy, and everything in between. We go to the store, or we accept an invitation or a new job, or we make decisions in our lives....it is all judgment. We watch someone talking on TV and we are making judgments about the content, whether we agree with it, whether we don’t, whether we like the person talking, whether they sound believable, etc.. As parents, we are judging the behavior of our kids to see what steps we might need to take as parents. We are assessing the mailman, the bank teller, the grocery store clerk, and virtually everyone we encounter, as well as every circumstance.

Judging is a form of critical thinking…It is mandatory in order to live an autonomous life….cattle have no control of their lives because they can’t make any but the most basic decisions for themselves but, even cattle make judgments…..Asparagus don't think therefore they can't judge any circumstance; they have no control over their existence. Young children have very limited critical thinking skills so they tend to believe everything they are told. But, make no mistake...thinking isn't thinking "critically"...that requires homework, diligence, scrutiny, fact checking, etc.. If we are to be human, and not like Asparagus, then let us use our skills as critical thinkers to be independent and sovereign.

When the Dalai Lama was asked recently what is the most important meditation we can at this time? He answered: "Critical thinking....followed by actions. Discern your world."

In a world where there is so much injustice that needs to be confronted, where there are so many potentially good decisions and poor ones, so much war and people suffering---critical thinking is mandatory. It is our first and often our only line of defense against ignorance and intellectual and emotional imprisonment. Critical thinking allows us to separate "good" from "bad", fact from fiction, science from sorcery, and everything in between. Thinking "critically" doesn't mean that you will always come to the same conclusions as everyone else, or even that you will reach the best conclusions...but it means that you challenged, you investigated, and you didn't accept every invitation. In essence, you had a "gatekeeper" who made sure that the false people, concepts, and beliefs didn't manipulate your life. It is through critical thinking that we get our worldview…though many of us have our worldview handed to us at birth via the ideology or religious beliefs of our parents. Others surrender their critical thinking skills to others people or to organizations like Scientology, or any number of cults or ideological groups. The young muslim child born today will largely be denied his critical thinking skills, so will the Amish child or the child born to a Hasidic Jew. These small children will be given a very strict ideological assignment that they don't have the independence to challenge. This isn't a statement impugning these groups but rather a statement regarding removing a person's (a child's) ability to think critically about a group or ideology.

Have you ever wondered why Christians seem to beget Christians, Catholics beget Catholics, Jews beget Jews, Muslims beget Muslims, and so on? How about the fact that every Kennedy I know of is a Democrat. I have no opposition to Democrats but wouldn't you think that given a full buffet of options to choose from that at least a few Kennedy's would end up as Republicans? What it means is that the education and exposure was very biased. Imagine how Ronald Reagan Jr. became a Democrat. His father is the personfication conservatism; perhaps the most revered Republican of the 20th century and yet Ron Reagan Jr. is an outspoken critic of conservatism. The politics is unimportant but the critical thinking that must have gone on to question a father's whose righteousness was always being reflected. Be a Republican, be a Democrat, or a Christian, or whatever...but choose it on your own terms, through a careful process of scrutiny.

Many things that happen in this world do not deserve our attention or opinion, but I would maintain that there are issues that require you and me (as citizens) to take a stand; they require us to think critically and act accordingly. For example, if we see someone being verbally or physically abused in public we should have an opinion on that…we should be thinking critically about that event….it might even inspire us to take measures to interrupt that abuse. But, even if it doesn’t, we should be evaluating actions like these and judging them for what they are….Are those actions wrong, acceptable, cruel, justified, etc.? Indifference is not acceptable if we want to live in a civilized society. Is that individual or circumstance something that is subtracting from my life, adding to it, deceiving me, uplifting me?, etc..

If we are to be caring and responsible human beings, people who care about the welfare of others, good citizens……we surely can't afford to be indifferent…or apathetic…lest we be nihilists. Imagine a society of nihilists…..where there is no moral glue, no “wrong” or “right” behavior, no laws or standards. You could do anything you could get away with…..and so could everyone else. I suppose the Dark Ages were much like this…the strong and powerful prevailed through might and greed.

What is it, anyways, that keeps our civilization civilized? Clearly an uncivilized culture or society is one where there are no societal norms that protect people from being harmed, or that set a standard of personal behavior that requires that we treat people fairly, or that we stop in the street when you see that someone is hurt, etc.. Societal norms (or standards) exists in all types of societies. The word "norms" doesn't imply they are good or bad, just that they are accepted standards. They exist in a society that holds slavery to be legal and common or that treats women and gays as second class citizens. Societal norms exist in the society that treats everyone with respect and dignity, or that collectively tries to assuage the pain of the less fortunate, etc.. Societal "norms" exist in the Islamic countries that require women to cover their bodies in public and live beneath the man, or accept that the punishment for robbery is to have your hand cut off. Societal “norms” can be horrific and inhumane, and they can be in support of human dignity in all circumstances. In China, as recently as the early 20th century, it was common practice for centuries to "bind" the feet of young girls so as to make their feet completely deformed. It was horribly painful and crippling but it was considered a display of status and a way to subjugate women. No one questioned it. That type of completely crippling and inhumane behavior was just accepted. In many cultures female genital mutilation is still the accepted (and often required) way of insuring that your future wife is a virgin when you “have” her and it is a way of controlling her sexuality by removing large chunks of her sex organs. It is performed on girls ages 5 - 13. It is estimated that over 200 million women and girls in the world today have experienced female genital mutilation, ceremoniously performed without anesthesia. Pause for a moment to imagine that….

These horrendous "norms" have either been stopped due to strong criticism and public outcry or, through an insufficient public outcry they have been able to perpetuate.

In this country there is wide agreement that the war with Vietnam was not only unjust, but totally ineffectual. It took too long but eventually there were enough critical thinkers in this country who actively protested and fought against our Government’s involvement in the Vietnam war…without that judgment and criticism by large segments of the population the war would not have ended when it did….apparently the country at large didn’t think critically enough because we did the same thing in 2003 when we invaded, overthrew, and torched a foreign country with no justification. It was a war crime by even the loosest definition.

What is it that turned our society into one that abhors slavery? Our finest citizens, from Thomas Jefferson to George Washington had slaves and there was no shame whatsoever. It was as accepted as owning a pet. Something happened…..something always happens when something like slavery is abolished, or women get the right to vote, or gays are treated with dignity and they no longer have to shamefully hide in the shadows. The answer is always the same…it is critical thinking…”judgment”….someone, or a group, starts asking questions about the civility of something, or the effectiveness of something, or the truth of something, or the efficiency, or sanity, of something, whatever. It stimulates conversation and shines a light on a space that had remained dark…and if there are enough people who think critically then a society makes changes…it evolves (hopefully). It eliminates slavery, Jim Crow, corruption, foot binding, etc..

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke

There are many parts of the world where critical thinking is not practiced. It is de facto forbidden. It is like a muscle that never gets used…it withers. People simply follow the strictly enforced codes (norms) and no one falls out of line….certain cultures rarely, if ever, question or re-examine their cultural practices for their civility or justness or sanity. There is breathtaking obedience in cultures and religions. Hispanic cultures widely practice “machismo” which espouses subjugation and submission by the woman to the man. Muslim cultures require that people do what other muslims have been programmed to do for centuries without the slightest questioning. "Don't think, just pray, just put on that hood, just do what you are told". Critical thinking or protesting against a societal "norm" might get you shunned, imprisoned, or even killed in many cultures and societies in this world. We know that being openly critical of Vladimir Putin has gotten people killed, shot dead in the streets.

Critical thinking was in very short supply during the rise of Hitler…the Germans never asked questions. These amazingly cultured and intelligent and high achieving people didn't raise a hand to stop genocide. German culture up to then was not encouraged to ask questions....just to obey. That came at an incredibly high price to others, and eventually to themselves. 60 million people died because of their collective indifference. They were like sheep…and the Germans felt no reason to start "thinking" until the Russians rolled into Berlin with tanks and started killing and raping the women and children who were home awaiting a promised but unrealized German victory. American Generals like Eisenhower and Patton, after liberating the Jews in Germany, forced German citizens to witness the horror of the concentration camps. They held them accountable. They asked the question that went unasked, "What were you thinking"?

Critical thinking is what changed the Western world from being a primitive society…Other parts of the globe are still incredibly primitive due to the lack of independent thinking and open discussion. Some people (and cultures) never evolve, they act in a herd, like animals. Those cultures live a circular existence. That doesn't make it wrong, it just makes it static and unable to grow. They live now the way they have for centuries. Of course, it could be said that our own culture here in the United States is still primitive in many areas….at least let’s say it hasn't evolved nearly enough. When I see a small percentage of disgustingly wealthy people and yet 16% of the people in this country are living in poverty. I know we have very far to go.

Criticism is an essential part of human growth, both on an individual level and a much larger, societal level. Certainly Martin Luther King did some very critical thinking in his young life…he was very harsh in his judgment of the way blacks were being treated in America. He called attention to it…and virtually all institutionalized forms of racism were halted….It seems very fair to say that without Martin Luther King shining light on the injustices,…Civil Rights legislation and public opinion would not have changed for many years, maybe not for decades. So, why does criticism get such a bad rap? Can you imagine a coach trying to make you a better athlete without criticism? Can you imagine any teacher trying to teach without using constructive criticism?

Let’s be very clear. I think it should get such a bad “rap” in cases where there is no attempt to do something constructive. Criticism for the sake of being offensive or damaging is something that I would rarely see as justifiable. Criticism that is designed to diminish someone or something with no greater good can be looked at as dysfunctional, cruel, and self serving in my opinion. It serves no noble purpose…or, to use an old axiom, “the ends don’t justify the means”.

Not only is it permissible…but I see it as a moral responsibility to think critically and speak out against activity/behavior from anyone that would lower our civility. That is the criterion. When the behavior of a person begs to be addressed/scrutinized in an effort to improve the society as a whole.

I’ll use an example…..About a year ago I had been tempted to write a blog critical of Caitlyn Jenner. My intent wasn’t to pass any judgment on her deciding to live as a woman (that was irrelevant to me)….but on what I viewed as her incredible insensitivity and narcissism as displayed following her negligent behavior that took the life of a woman in an auto accident in Malibu. As most of us know, Jenner’s SUV rear ended a car and vaulted it into oncoming traffic. The female driver of that car was killed by another vehicle traveling in the opposite lane…I could forgive Jenner that negligence but what I found very reprehensible was the fact that Jenner never came out publicly to address her behavior that took the life of that innocent woman. Jenner made a statement through her attorney only. Jenner shortly went on several high profile interviews to discuss her new life as a woman and soon followed up on the cover of Vanity Fair in a bustier. It spoke volumes about what mattered to her (and what didn’t). I thought it was incredibly insensitive and self centered for Jenner to not address her actions by showing deep remorse (publicly). Instead, she has the money to pay a settlement to avoid civil litigation. Jenner didn’t put her “coming out” party on hold for even a day….she let the world know that she was unfazed by the taking of a life due to her negligence and instead she went shopping and talked to Diane Sawyer for a one hour interview on ABC (about all things Caitlyn). Not once during that 60 minutes was there mention by Jenner or Sawyer of the tragic death of a driver at the hands of Jenner……there were all kinds of inane discussions of wardrobes and makeup, etc., but the death was comparatively insignificant….what message does that send to people watching this undeservedly popular (my opinions) celebrity? How many of us could go unfazed by causing the death of another? I hope not too many but if we adopt Jenner's code of ethics that will change. I blame Jenner (and Sawyer) for this dismissal.

The point of the criticism of her behavior is not to be personally antagonistic towards Jenner…the point of the criticism is to propose that this type of self absorption, especially in light of someone’s death, should not be overlooked. My children (and maybe yours) should hear a voice that seriously admonishes that type of behavior. Adding insult to injury we later had to see Jenner receive the "Courage Award" by ESPN….without a single mention of the involuntary manslaughter. In the absence of criticism …..Jenner’s behavior will be “normalized”. It won’t be considered unacceptable. In the interest of a more civilized society I think it should be considered very unacceptable.

I was very outspoken about Tom Brady’s trying to gain an unfair advantage in a playoff game by cheating…by deflating the footballs that his team used in the game in order to make them easier to throw, catch, and grip….I think we are a lesser society for tolerating this type of behavior……if no one criticizes it…and the "band" just plays on…then how can we expect the next generation of athletes to live to a higher standard…?

Equally as important......honorable and respectable behavior should be celebrated in an attempt to draw attention to it’s benefit to society. We should put the respectable behavior on a pedestal for all to see as an example of something to model. Obama vs. Trump? Now that is a contrast in dignity and character if there ever was one...but what if we didn't applaud Obama for this, and if we didn't excoriate Trump for his uncivilized behavior...I'm not talking politics, just decency. I watched Nick Saban following his loss to Alabama in the BCS Championship game. This guy is not only a great coach but he is an incredible inspiration to me for the way he treats wins and losses, for the way he respects his opponents, doesn't make excuses, and insists that the pain he feels after a loss is solely for his players. If I wasn't writing this blog tonight I would be writing one about how much I admire Nick Saban....and John Wooden, and San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovich...for their humanity and civility and for their embrace of the bigger picture. If we don't distinguish between the coaches who cheat or who act without dignity and graciousness following a loss then we don't reward those who are doing it right...who are pushing society further up the mountain. If we don't make compassion and fairness the clear choice over greed and cheating then we send a weak message to all those who are paying attention.

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”

– Winston Churchill

Criticism is a civic duty in a society that is trying to ascribe to a social conscience…Russia doesn’t have a social conscience so they don’t care…..neither do many countries…..but the United States is supposed to be a beacon for social conscience….for decency and human dignity. Look at the ethical and civil standards for behavior in the Scandinavian countries...it might surprise you. People treat others much more respectfully and with compassion in those countries. To tolerate the levels of income disparity and poverty that we have in this country would be met with harsh criticism in Scandinavian countries.

The goal is not to disparage someone for sport, but to shine a light on unacceptable behavior in an effort to bring attention to it…and inspire change. Eventually, society shamed those who would treat blacks and gays and women as inferior, so too might a society began the process of treating those who have obscene amounts of wealth with equal shame….

Imagine living in a society where hording incredible amounts of wealth was greeted with shame….the same shame we would afford to someone who was indifferent to a suffering animal. Society changes when enough people refuse to be indifferent or accepting of shameful behavior and became outraged…this is how slavery was ended…through criticism

Thank Goodness for the ones who criticize and “judge”. If done with the proper spirit (always crucial) our sense of decency and compassion as a nation will improve….Nothing improves without critical thinking....we didn't became a United States of America because we just accepted everything without thought. The right kind of criticism is designed to instigate examination and thought……no civilized society can advance without it….

I respect all people and try to uphold their dignity. I don't, however, respect all ideologies or belief systems. I can be very critical of a person's belief system and yet be very respectful towards that individual. I will "judge" a belief, ideology, religion, by the same standards that I judge everything that I put before myself. I am under no burden to respect your beliefs or course of thinking simply because it is sacred to you. But, as a person, I'll fight to uphold your dignity and I'll always treat you as an equal. That's the best I can do.

my opinions.....