So you don't like the new MacBook Pro? Hey, it's fine, you're not alone - this forum seems to be full of people who agree (and disagree). You're more than welcome to share your views too! However, what you probably shouldn't do - is be a jerk towards others about it!
Now, I am not here to tell you to stop saying whatever you want. It's not up to me to moderate anyone here (there are forum moderators for that) and most of the things I consider to be hurtful to other people's feelings are within your right to say (I don't think anyone should be censored or anything). It's your right to be mean, if you really want to. But it's my right to point out that you're mean and explain why I think you are mean. So, here's this long post!
I'll give you some examples! First, a few examples of criticism that are just fine.
Example A: I really dislike the new MacBook Pro, in fact - I HATE it - it is simply not for me! I'm not buying one because I need more RAM, ports and it's too expensive. Disappointed.
This is really ok. It doesn't have to be true for me, but I understand what you're saying. Hope you find something better.
Example B: This computer should cost $1500, this is just crazy! And it should have Kaby Lake! And I want a higher resolution screen! Give us touchscreen, Apple! Microsoft is doing all the innovation now, fire Tim Cook!
This is also fine. I think it’s 100% wrong though - no way could it cost that little and Kaby Lake isn’t available for these models. Also, I don’t think we need a higher resolution screen and I think touchscreen Macs would be a bad idea. BTW, I like Cook's Apple. But, really - the post is fine. I may respond to this, say what I think, but this is not insulting or rude, or anything bad. If you want a touchscreen, you want a touchscreen - fine. If you're not informed about the availability of Kaby Lake CPUs, also fine. If you dislike Cook - hey, I'm not him!
So, these are fine. But not all posts are. Some posts are, kinda, you know, mean spirited and hurtful. Most of them won't get you a warning from the moderators, but they still kinda feel bad and can hurt people's feelings - so why be a jerk if you don't have to?
Here are some examples:
Example A: I'm not buying the new MacBook Pro because it is obvious that Apple does not make machines for professionals anymore.
Ok, so this is not that terrible, but it does pinch a nerve. Since I'm getting one, does that mean I'm not a professional? Why not just say "Apple does not make machines for my needs anymore!". Feel free to add your dislike towards Tim Cook, say that Apple sucks and wow never to pay them a dime ever again! All fine. But don't question the professional status of the many people that will buy the darn thing.
Example B: No true professional would consider getting this joke of a machine. Anyone who thinks this computer is fine is a fanboy who will eat whatever Tim Cook serves them. True professionals are switching to PCs.
This is downright insulting to a whole bunch of people. It may seem you're criticizing Apple, but in fact you're just complimenting their salesmanship skills, while insulting their customers instead.
Example C: Tim Cook needs to step down! No one wants the thing to be thinner, and we all want more ports!
You may think this is fine, but actually, this makes a lot of assumptions about what other people want. Imagine if I said something like: "Everyone wants to vote for Trump" or "Everyone supports Hillary" - or if I said - "Everyone actually believes in God", or, "You know, no one really believes in God!" A lot of people would have an issue with lines like that, right? I'm not saying religious or political views are the same as laptop weight preference, but I am saying that people don't like other people to speak for them. And even if you modify your line to say "majority of people want X" (which is a bit better) - you better have some research data with you and not some anecdotal evidence. Look, I get it - YOU don't want it to be thinner. All your friends don't want it thinner either. Great. You're not everyone - and you're not me.
Example D: Why would anyone be crazy to buy this thing, when you can get an i7, GTX 1060 and 32Gb of RAM for $1599! It is clearly and objectively a better choice!
This can also rub some people the wrong way, because it supposedly explains how there is clearly a better value out there, making you feel like a sucker for not getting that "better" option. Of course, it assumes the only thing everyone cares about is getting the fastest components for the least money, not taking anything else into account - build quality, screen quality, personal preference, etc. It also assumes these points are “the important ones”, making you feel shallow if you, for example, value aesthetics or the operating system or whatever else. Why not say "I think this has a better value - because of this and that" - instead of presenting it like an objectively better choice. No, it's not objectively better, because not everyone's needs and wants are the same.
So - how can you criticize without hurting anyone's feelings? It’s really easy. Just speak for yourself and not the others (Instead of saying “no true professional would buy the MBP”, why not just say “I’m a professional and I have no intention of buying the MBP”. Use sentences like “The new MBP sucks for me” instead of “The new MBP is for suckers” - criticize the product, not the people that like it. Apply this to all products/services/entertainment that you dislike and enjoy a better, happier forum experience: for yourself and for others. Peace!
Now, I am not here to tell you to stop saying whatever you want. It's not up to me to moderate anyone here (there are forum moderators for that) and most of the things I consider to be hurtful to other people's feelings are within your right to say (I don't think anyone should be censored or anything). It's your right to be mean, if you really want to. But it's my right to point out that you're mean and explain why I think you are mean. So, here's this long post!
I'll give you some examples! First, a few examples of criticism that are just fine.
Example A: I really dislike the new MacBook Pro, in fact - I HATE it - it is simply not for me! I'm not buying one because I need more RAM, ports and it's too expensive. Disappointed.
This is really ok. It doesn't have to be true for me, but I understand what you're saying. Hope you find something better.
Example B: This computer should cost $1500, this is just crazy! And it should have Kaby Lake! And I want a higher resolution screen! Give us touchscreen, Apple! Microsoft is doing all the innovation now, fire Tim Cook!
This is also fine. I think it’s 100% wrong though - no way could it cost that little and Kaby Lake isn’t available for these models. Also, I don’t think we need a higher resolution screen and I think touchscreen Macs would be a bad idea. BTW, I like Cook's Apple. But, really - the post is fine. I may respond to this, say what I think, but this is not insulting or rude, or anything bad. If you want a touchscreen, you want a touchscreen - fine. If you're not informed about the availability of Kaby Lake CPUs, also fine. If you dislike Cook - hey, I'm not him!
So, these are fine. But not all posts are. Some posts are, kinda, you know, mean spirited and hurtful. Most of them won't get you a warning from the moderators, but they still kinda feel bad and can hurt people's feelings - so why be a jerk if you don't have to?
Here are some examples:
Example A: I'm not buying the new MacBook Pro because it is obvious that Apple does not make machines for professionals anymore.
Ok, so this is not that terrible, but it does pinch a nerve. Since I'm getting one, does that mean I'm not a professional? Why not just say "Apple does not make machines for my needs anymore!". Feel free to add your dislike towards Tim Cook, say that Apple sucks and wow never to pay them a dime ever again! All fine. But don't question the professional status of the many people that will buy the darn thing.
Example B: No true professional would consider getting this joke of a machine. Anyone who thinks this computer is fine is a fanboy who will eat whatever Tim Cook serves them. True professionals are switching to PCs.
This is downright insulting to a whole bunch of people. It may seem you're criticizing Apple, but in fact you're just complimenting their salesmanship skills, while insulting their customers instead.
Example C: Tim Cook needs to step down! No one wants the thing to be thinner, and we all want more ports!
You may think this is fine, but actually, this makes a lot of assumptions about what other people want. Imagine if I said something like: "Everyone wants to vote for Trump" or "Everyone supports Hillary" - or if I said - "Everyone actually believes in God", or, "You know, no one really believes in God!" A lot of people would have an issue with lines like that, right? I'm not saying religious or political views are the same as laptop weight preference, but I am saying that people don't like other people to speak for them. And even if you modify your line to say "majority of people want X" (which is a bit better) - you better have some research data with you and not some anecdotal evidence. Look, I get it - YOU don't want it to be thinner. All your friends don't want it thinner either. Great. You're not everyone - and you're not me.
Example D: Why would anyone be crazy to buy this thing, when you can get an i7, GTX 1060 and 32Gb of RAM for $1599! It is clearly and objectively a better choice!
This can also rub some people the wrong way, because it supposedly explains how there is clearly a better value out there, making you feel like a sucker for not getting that "better" option. Of course, it assumes the only thing everyone cares about is getting the fastest components for the least money, not taking anything else into account - build quality, screen quality, personal preference, etc. It also assumes these points are “the important ones”, making you feel shallow if you, for example, value aesthetics or the operating system or whatever else. Why not say "I think this has a better value - because of this and that" - instead of presenting it like an objectively better choice. No, it's not objectively better, because not everyone's needs and wants are the same.
So - how can you criticize without hurting anyone's feelings? It’s really easy. Just speak for yourself and not the others (Instead of saying “no true professional would buy the MBP”, why not just say “I’m a professional and I have no intention of buying the MBP”. Use sentences like “The new MBP sucks for me” instead of “The new MBP is for suckers” - criticize the product, not the people that like it. Apply this to all products/services/entertainment that you dislike and enjoy a better, happier forum experience: for yourself and for others. Peace!
