One can be forgiven for wondering what the point of criticism is if it is all subjective! he's an optimist, he's a pessimist - what else is there to know ?
But it was probably this exact rumination that would have lead to the invention/realization of the word - "Perspective"
At the end of the day, for anything that is out of the realms of science all we tend to have is a bunch of perspectives..After all as the Harvard historian Niall Ferguson puts it - You cannot have physics when the particles have consciousness which is a fancy euphemism for - You can't predict humans!
So what greater good do these perspectives serve ?
Not very much.. - I'm afraid - atleast in isolation!
Which is why it's really necessary to understand the following two words -
The Context and The Premise
The subjective to objective conversion of a perspective happens through a context or more appropriately within it.
And for a Context to exist, there needs to be a Premise
Allow me to illustrate :
Perspective 1 - Roger Federer is the best player of all time
Perspective 2 - Rafael Nadal is a better player and is well on his way to being the best of all time
The classic choice that polarizes current Tennis fans.
Now let's apply a context that converts the subjective Perspective 1 into a more Objective Conclusion
Such a context could involve the following (and more):
- A better fast court game
- A better all court game
- Period from 2003 to 2008
- Adaptation to slowing down surfaces
- A game that banks on graceful, immaculate and breathtaking winners
So it would be fair to say that in the context of the above - Roger Federer is the best player of all time.
But why would one choose the above context as opposed to a different one that substantiates Rafa.
That would be because of the other word - The Premise - Someone who admires Roger and watches the game - probably do so because they prefer the raw ability of someone timing a quick travelling ball to perfection for a winner - while - the folks who watch Rafa may like the sheer - never say die attitude of chasing every ball - until the opponent tires out!
This being the case - It's easy to see the futility and stupidity of fan boy repartee when all and sundry can be summarized by a single line -
Which Brings Us To -
But it was probably this exact rumination that would have lead to the invention/realization of the word - "Perspective"
At the end of the day, for anything that is out of the realms of science all we tend to have is a bunch of perspectives..After all as the Harvard historian Niall Ferguson puts it - You cannot have physics when the particles have consciousness which is a fancy euphemism for - You can't predict humans!
So what greater good do these perspectives serve ?
Not very much.. - I'm afraid - atleast in isolation!
Which is why it's really necessary to understand the following two words -
The Context and The Premise
The subjective to objective conversion of a perspective happens through a context or more appropriately within it.
And for a Context to exist, there needs to be a Premise
Allow me to illustrate :
Perspective 1 - Roger Federer is the best player of all time
Perspective 2 - Rafael Nadal is a better player and is well on his way to being the best of all time
The classic choice that polarizes current Tennis fans.
Now let's apply a context that converts the subjective Perspective 1 into a more Objective Conclusion
Such a context could involve the following (and more):
- A better fast court game
- A better all court game
- Period from 2003 to 2008
- Adaptation to slowing down surfaces
- A game that banks on graceful, immaculate and breathtaking winners
So it would be fair to say that in the context of the above - Roger Federer is the best player of all time.
But why would one choose the above context as opposed to a different one that substantiates Rafa.
That would be because of the other word - The Premise - Someone who admires Roger and watches the game - probably do so because they prefer the raw ability of someone timing a quick travelling ball to perfection for a winner - while - the folks who watch Rafa may like the sheer - never say die attitude of chasing every ball - until the opponent tires out!
This being the case - It's easy to see the futility and stupidity of fan boy repartee when all and sundry can be summarized by a single line -
It's the Context Stupid!
Which Brings Us To -
