Quote:
Originally Posted by VaporPunk
Criticism is fine, send a private message to the author that ya think he screwed up... 
Publically, not so much, imo. 
Its not just about being an ass, its basic courtesy. |
I disagree. It's not about courtesy, it's about choosing to not be cowardly. Priest has shown that he has standards, and that he is not afraid to speak up when he feels those standards are being violated. This is a good thing, and it's something we need more of, not less of.
These are all successful, well-known authors. They can deal with the criticism, and if they can't, they should be in another field. (And Stross is taking the Internet puppy title and running with it, so he's clearly able to take it).
No one is well served if people withhold criticism on an important matter because they don't want to look like an ass. If Priest believes that the Clarke prize is going in the wrong direction, he has a *duty* to speak up, which, happily, he has.