tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003558331120575193.post4450820021554572826..comments2023-08-24T07:28:15.209-04:00Comments on ARCHIVE: The Barksdale Buzz: Ruminations from the Old SchoolJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690159972412894518noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003558331120575193.post-37794863635580531372011-09-19T09:47:48.328-04:002011-09-19T09:47:48.328-04:00Mr. Miller says, "I find some validity to his...Mr. Miller says, "I find some validity to his point of view. I expect he finds some in mine. I know we both respect each other."<br /><br />This is absolutely true and I appreciate you stating this so clearly. It's fascinating to me to discuss a topic with some vehemence. But regardless of our differences of opinion, I maintain the utmost respect for you (and Mark and any others who have offered clearly-stated, rational opinions). <br /><br />And just to be clear, I don't think avoiding objectivity is the goal. I believe presenting a critically rigorous review with as much objectivity should definitely be the goal. However, I don't believe there is any way to completely remove subjectivity. On some level, we may be splitting hairs but I still think that acknowledging this is important. <br /><br />A purely hypothetical example: I love "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and don't love "[title of show]." Another critic loves "[title of show]" and doesn't care for "DRS." Both of us have completely valid critical reasons why one is great, the other is not-so-great. We can couch these reasons in objectivity -- "DRS" doesn't connect with the audience as effectively, "[tos]" isn't nearly as clever as it thinks it is, etc. etc.<br /><br />But underlying these points may be that "[tos]" appeals to a younger audience more than an older audience, and that appeal may be mirrored in critical response. Hopefully, a critic is self-aware enough to abstract him or herself from that kind of bias. But I'd argue that doing so completely is impossible.<br /><br />In my view, the newspaper has "News" and "Editorial" sections. News is objective reporting -- just the facts, ma'am; Editorial is analytical, critical, evaluative and, ultimately, subjective. Theater reviews belong in the Editorial section. But I'm more than willing to discuss this further with "old school" fellows like Mr. Miller anytime, preferably over a beer so we can shake hands when we're done!Dave Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554650648344826824noreply@blogger.com