Once upon a time, there was a group of people who felt that their society was going downhill in a hurry. These people loved their society and were very sincere and earnest in their desire to correct the errors they perceived.
So they rededicated themselves to promoting the society's older and proven values -- or at least, what they considered their society's older and proven values. They loudly and publicly condemned anyone who strayed from their version of Truth. They assembled and organized their followers and spread the word of ethical certitude, divine grace, and the enemy's lack of both.
They loudly proclaimed, "We are the voice of correctness!"
And then one, and another, fell short of the league's principles. The people they hoped to guide to a better world began to suspect them of calumny at least, if not outright hypocrisy. Because a few failed, the entire group was subjected to public humiliation. A humiliation that may have been deserved, but not because some members were flawed. A humiliation deserved because of hubris.
It turned out their values were higher than their character. Which isn't a bad thing at all, unless you're holding someone other than yourself up to your standards.
Moral: If you want to criticise others for bad spelling, incorrect grammar, or atrocious similes. Make surre you never make a mistake in doing so. (And yes, I saw the double "r" in "sure.")
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Comments: 50
Definitely an excellent moral to your story.
Was that the story where the girls got their knickers in a wad and the bear did seven to ten for contributing -- even though, or perhaps because, he ignored them?
"Definitely an excellent moral to your story."
Yes? Why? Did it make you pause and consider?
I do love a good morality tale, but I could use a good laugh tonight.
I'm not good at morality. I do better with ethics.
However, being the old curmudgeon that I am, I must add that this is a web site for writers, and constructive criticism should be welcomed by all. Unfortunately, most comments...and I include my own...usually heap either praise or scorn on the writer.
Rarely is there an objective comment with constructive criticism of the writing style or grammar. Maybe I just miss this...my mother was an English teacher and a real stickler for correct grammar, pronunciation and spelling, so I grew up with it. She was still correcting me just before she died at 91...which made me 53 at the time.
No, I didn't do her in out of anger.
Don't get me started on THAT!!!
I like your style.
Unfortunately, I haven't seen many of those. I see suggestions written with a tone of "well you SHOULD know this".
I think that it's an equal plane here.
Those who need to hear correction, suggestion, help
Those who have correction, suggestion and help to give.
Both considerate of everyone's feelings.
Writing is very personal and it's understandable that people get defensive of their work.
I always fall back on my favorite maxim: It's not failure, but low aim that's a crime.
Someone mentioned the moral to your story (and as a History major I remember the old morality plays being early attempts to teach ethical interaction) and when the word changes to 'morality' it sounds more like "morale"... mine being low at the moment.
Sandy, that photo is adorable. :-) Thanks! (Is that you??)
G'night!
"my father taught me to never expect anything of others that I wasn't willing to give of myself."
Are you aware of how that shines through everything you say here? I think it is what most confounds and infuriates your detractors.
Myself, I simply don't live up to my own standards. I get distracted or tired or forgetful or just cranky when I make comments on articles. It's conversation, mostly, and I think entitled to the breaks we give each other when we speak in person.
But when we set out to critique someone else's writing, most of us would do well to emulate Jackie and correct our errors, publicly, when we notice them.
John-whatever,
Aye!
Clay,
"Calumny" sprang straight to my mind as I wrote this, but I spent at least an hour and a half earlier this afternoon trying to remember "sumac." The more words I remember the more I forget.
Bert,
"I must add that this is a web site for writers"
You haven't been keeping up with the evolving gather. (I use the term "evolving" with all due irony.)
And my parents (both of whom write) no longer correct my grammar, they've learned better. Instead we discuss grammar issues as literate adults with a mutual concern. (Dad's a bit of a stickler, but alas, isn't a particularly good writer.)
"or were you talking about the Christian Coalition?"
Could be, it's a parabola, after all.
Tonia,
"that did make me pause and consider."
You just made my evening. That's all I ever want my writing to accomplish.
John,
Which one?
"Writing is very personal and it's understandable that people get defensive of their work."
Yes.
EB,
"Yeah, but...why post this to Nitpickers when this was one of the group's intentions?"
You call that nit-picking? This is a parable intended to illustrate a point by misdirection. Does it?
Danielle,
My apologies, I missed your pun because I was still feeling a bit serious. Being serious takes a lot out of me. Attempting to be clever at the same time is really tough. I'm not good at clever.
Donna,
I could provide a recipe, but won't.
Running in circles is foley.
In light of all that has been going on in Gather lately, its a good moral to your story, Kevin
All I can say, is this is how things go here.
This was clearly a joke, and written by a goofy 14 year old INTENDING it to be a joke. Then, we get questioned on whether we are teaching him proper grammar in homeschool.
Nice
Yeah, I get your point Kevin. There has always been a trichotomy on this web site...some serious writers, some bloggers, and some people just fooling around.
Some of the serious people have gotten discouraged, lost interest and left.
Unfortunately, I have not noticed the same trend with the others...
But I share writings and comments with some very intelligent and articulate people here. As long as that continues, I'll stick around.
> But I am at a loss to know how atrocious smiles become a happy combination with those two creepy villains.
I'm responsible for communicating clearly, understanding, though, is your problem -- apparently.{wry grin}
Nicole,
Some people, when told to, "get a life," should have asked, "what kind," before proceeding.
Bert,
And you read my stuff too!
Thanks very much.
BTW, there's no need to rate my articles. The rating system is largely broken.
I wear your readership as a Scarlet Letter, "B" specifically. And I note that you're another of those I thought I was connected to and am not. Connection request coming your way.
Jackie,
"Moral: If you want to criticise others for bad spelling, incorrect grammar, or atrocious similes. Make surre you never make a mistake in doing so."
If one serendipitous illustration is good, two are better.
Have I ever insulted you?
And if I remember correctly, the white stuff is mascarpone flavored with Amaretto.
I'm not sure if you've ever insulted me. You are clever and subtle with insults, and I'm pretty dense. I'm just covering all my bases, Kevie.
Mascarpone is an Italian cheese, similar to cream cheese, but more buttery in flavor. It also has the advantage of gaining a bit of volume and lightness when whipped with an ordinary mixer. (Cream cheese is too dense to really whip at home.) I suspect you'd adore it.
And as for insults, I'm sure no one could detected veiled insults with your clarity of perception.
Satan doesn't whip people, he whips mascarpone.
Yours -- S
Eight ounces of mascarpone -- at room temperature -- 2 tablespoons of liquer. Whip and enjoy.
I'm surrounded by food Johns hoping I'm a whore. So gorge!
"And as for insults, I'm sure no one could detected veiled insults with your clarity of perception."
See? See?
Actually, I don't make that many sweets (I think I made those brownies last year), but nevertheless, yes.
And I was simply commenting on your unmatched perspicacity.