Do we really need critique tags on Haven?

So this has been on my mind today.

Back when the membership here demanded critique tags, we didn't have a Writing Workshop forum.  I was very against the idea but finally bent under the pressure of the membership and my fellow moderators.  After recent discussion, I can't help but bring it up again.

We now have a writing workshop forum, where members are invited to post their blogs for critique, discussion, and revision.  That is the purpose of the forum, and it centralizes those who want critique and wish to critique in one place.  It also gives a proper format to the discussion, where each work would be isolated in its own thread, and members could go from one thread to another giving critique and responding to discussions.  Once a piece is "finished" it can then be posted as "finished" as a regular blog.  It's a tidy little system that has not been used much at all since it's inception.

On the other hand, when someone posts a blog and adds a critique tag, it then begins a discussion in comments under the blog, the blog does not seem "finished" as it was posted, may require editing and reposting, etc.  Sometimes it's hard to notice blogs that are asking for critique if one doesn't look at the tags.  Most of us reading blogs just want to read them, as well, and we're not concerned with critique.

Lastly, having the critique tag options in the blog tags makes it seem like for any feedback, one must ask for critique - and this is not the case.  Haven and Realmportal before it has always encouraged friendly commenting on blogs so that we all get to know each other better and further relate to one another outside of the game. I've been told a few times, "If the critique tag isn't there, I don't feel I can say *anything*"  Silliness!  If someone comes to my house and compliments me on my interior design, I don't take it as critique - I take it as a compliment!  Compliments about writing, RP, characters, etc. have always been welcomed and encouraged!  Love and respect and celebrate your fellow RPers, no holds barred.  We need more of that around here, honestly.

So, personally, I'd like to open up those floodgates again.  If you would like to concern yourself with critique, use the Writing and Art Workshops.  If you'd like to just share stories and share comments and enjoy each other's work, let's get rid of the critique tag.  The site has the ability to offer something for everyone, if we make use of all it's features.  One of the best things about Haven is how it has changed and adapted over the years.  We can make another change now, if we wish.

What do you all think?

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I'm going to vote no on this one. Given the litmus test of the Critique Welcomed thread and the sensitivities expressed, I think it would be best of folks who wanted Critique specifically placed their work in the workshop. That way there would be no accident as to what a user was signing up for. Critique can be upsetting and we don't want anyone turned off because of mistaken tagging or assumptions about what's okay to say in a critique. The workshop can have an FAQ with a couple examples so that people considering asking for critique can be aware of what they're asking for and so that people giving critique have clear guildlines as to what's expected of them.

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I vote 'Don't Care Either Way', as critique is such a minefield of volatile egos on Haven that I'd rather nuke the concept from orbit......it's the only way to be sure  ;)

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((I seem to recall that the critique tags were added after someone made a post and someone else ripped into it. The original poster had posted for the fun of it, had no desire to be critiqued, and was offended and/or hurt that someone had done so.

This is one reason I vote yes, unless it's made plain somewhere on the site (that new people could see and therefore not unknowingly offend) that critique has no place in blog comments. I also vote yes because not everyone feels the need or desire to post everything they compose in the Writers' Workshop and a "critique welcomed" tag allows for people to say something simple, for example, "Hey your lore is off about x," without appearing to be a jerk.))

I think I'm going to vote no on this as well. I'd love more comment and actual critique on my blogs, but that seems rare. I had the best luck when posting a snippet to the new forum for writing workshopping.

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Alt chars: Camyra, Vyana, Daevlynne, Lormar

Horde alt: Linnadia

Grumble, grumble: yes or no questions.

I don't see this as a pressing issue, as so little criticism is carried out here. When criticism has been problematic, questions of tone and other matters in the background tended to have been the issue rather than the criticism itself. The idea of a writing workshop thread bothers me. If someone doesn't respond to a blog - well, whatever. A lack of responses to a thread in a workshop forum suggests something of refusal to answer a question posed; it's snubbing a request for help. Furthermore, the question of tone still remains a problem, separate forum or not.

After the many ego wars and flamefests that have burst forth like an evil little phoenix from this issue over the years, I quirked an eyebrow when I saw who posted this particular question. I'd think you'd know better, Artie!

Without hestitation I'd say keep the tag. Every answer to every forum thread on every issue on this site results in the same answer: "It depends. Let me tell you how this relates to ME!" With that in mind, I think its important to know you're audience. For the people that frequent this site, everyone wants it tailored to their own experience. The critique tag allows everyone from the most outspoken drama queens to the quiet little lurkers to set the tag to however they want their blog received by the general public.

And if they don't want to post it in a particular critique thread/workshop/group, then let them do their thangy thang.

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Depends on what is meant by 'critique'. ^.~

Family man; His patience tried
Put a torch to his home and warmed his hands by the fire