Sunday Soapbox: Unsolicited public critiques

Like so many of my hobby friends, I have been participating in the @penneybrookecreations Advent Model Horse Photo Challenge.

Every day, participants post a photo matching the prompt. 

Some people write a little bit about the pictured models.

Although I really enjoy that, I've taken a more minimalist approach.

My Advent Challenge posts have been pictures only, and the pictures I've chosen have been fairly eclectic.

This was my choice for Day 13: Performance. I was especially pleased with this selection. Dun Up Purdy is one of my oldest and most successful performance horses, and this particular shot is nicely seasonal. Also, I just like it.

What I did not like was this: the unsolicited public critique.

There are a lot of theories as to why people feel compelled to offer unsolicited advice. 

I'm going to be charitable and assume this particular comment was meant to be helpful, but... It's not.

In fact, unsolicited advice is far more likely to be hurtful than helpful. It's disrespectful and always feels critical. No matter how it's intended, no one enjoys receiving it.

I feel so strongly about this, unsolicited critiques are expressly forbidden in the NaMoPaiMo group.

This is true in all areas, by the way, not just model horses. 

Unless someone is specifically asking for help, it's best to keep your advice to yourself.

So next time you're scrolling through Facebook and you see someone proudly showing off their newest creation, think twice before telling them how it could be better. I promise you, they'll be glad you did.