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Is there a danger that we -not me, not you, nor you--but we, are becoming samey? Could it be that some people, good critics and writers, will become so influential, that the others follow in base imitation after their proud footsteps? That although each thing may be different-- how could it not?-- in reality, it reflects a set of informal agreements about what is proper, and what is not. Is this in fact a good thing, showing that we have learnt from each other? Or is it stifling creativity, and the very death of originality?
I think I could once have given examples, but am now such a ghost of that earlier self, as I move among the other poetic Shades, that I would be hard put to it; and I would be wanting to hear the views of others, before formulating anything concrete. 
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I guess that could happen. I don't think it has happened here. We all seem pretty opinionated. I don't see us shifting that easily.
The secret of poetry is cruelty.--Jon Anderson
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(03-04-2012, 11:08 PM)Todd Wrote: I guess that could happen. I don't think it has happened here. We all seem pretty opinionated. I don't see us shifting that easily.
I cannot remember how many times I have said this on various sites, but I will say it again. Criticism is an OFFER not a CREED. I, you and Abu too, do not need to conform to anyone's proffered opinions, but it a foolish man/woman who listens to no one.
There is space here for the wildest literary excesses, and with excess comes largesse. We should all be free to express opinion but even though desirable, this is not a requirement, only a preference.
If any of the above were not so then ,Abu, I would be dubious about the situation. As far as I can see, all is well.
Best,
Tectak
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"We all seem pretty opinionated."
OMG! Samey HAS happened.
(And of course we are as there's not enough of us to be anything butt.)
P.S. 'Samey' is lamey.
i(I) much prefer 'homogeneotinous' as it's the bee's pajamatous.
i used to know a lotta stuff, but i still have eight cats
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(03-05-2012, 01:21 AM)tectak Wrote: (03-04-2012, 11:08 PM)Todd Wrote: I guess that could happen. I don't think it has happened here. We all seem pretty opinionated. I don't see us shifting that easily.
I cannot remember how many times I have said this on various sites, but I will say it again. Criticism is an OFFER not a CREED. I, you and Abu too, do not need to conform to anyone's proffered opinions, but it a foolish man/woman who listens to no one.
There is space here for the wildest literary excesses, and with excess comes largesse. We should all be free to express opinion but even though desirable, this is not a requirement, only a preference.
If any of the above were not so then ,Abu, I would be dubious about the situation. As far as I can see, all is well.
Best,
Tectak
Tectak,
My feeling is, that the tendency to conform is driven in a more stealthy way. Suppose that you are, very often, in a group where it is generally accepts that Cameron ans his posh cronies, and their Tory henchmen, are the slimiest of slime. Even when not talking of politics, that underlying concept will be there. You might have grave doubts as to who was best able to run the economy; you might have half-concluded that the strategy being followed was more likely to be of general benefit than the labour or Liberal people. But do you want to continually argue the point? Likewise, and I recall this, one of my children went to a private school. When you went along for one of those compulsory excoriations, other Dads would start up about 'Bring back National Service!' and various pro-Tory pronouncements. You could flatly contradict, or make jokes about how men had rosy recollections of times when in fact they had often been terrified. Or go with the flow. Maybe I am making something out of nothing. It was just a thought, and as I don't have many, I have to make the most of of those which do come by. 
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Keep an open mind, do your best then..... 'Publish And Be Damned' (Oh, and do be kind!)
Oh what a wicket web we weave!
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(03-05-2012, 10:40 AM)popeye Wrote: Keep an open mind, do your best then..... 'Publish And Be Damned' (Oh, and do be kind!)
Yes. I think it is a paradox, but no more than that. Learning from each other would beget samey-ness; but in reality, apart from new blood, there is also the aspect that we anyway quite naturally change our views, or have completely new ones, and these will trickle into the pool. Then others take this from the pool, but leave that. That is what I think to-day....but to-morrow morning? Qui sait?
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i think we do tend to be a little samey, and i think to an extent it's a good thing. for instance, here we generally try being honest without bashing (i hate that word) the poet. many will also listen to those who are seen to be better at the craft of poetry, though im not sure that would come under samey, Leannes form work is some of the best i've seen. as for her critiquing others form poetry, it would be hard to be samey. the same goes for todd. i think sometimes the samey creeps in when we actually feel the same. it often gets used by those who are setting out on their critiquing journey.
i think the samey becomes bad when a site becomes a war zone like 4chan or a lovefest like many other sites are. we won't allow either to happen, but will encourage (as members) anything in between. if someone sees samey happening in a bad way, please ridicule said samey user in the pig's arse.
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