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  %CYNIC REJECT LACK BETTER ALTERNATIVE CRITIC GOOD 921227

     It is relatively easy to come up with criticisms of
some existing:  pattern, tradition, behavior, institution,
ritual, doctrine, policy, law, habit, etc. It is much more
difficult  to  offer  an alternative which  is  clearly  a
better  alternative which is likely to be accepted as such
by  many people without over-balancing negative  conflict.
When  considering criticisms it is good to ask whether the
critics  are  offering  better  alternatives;   or  merely
picking  at  the  inadequacies of the present  alternative
which   are  comparable  to  the  inadequacies  of   other
alternatives which might be adopted.

     It is not helpful to offer criticisms of inadequacies
in  the  absence  of  any  interest  in  offering   better
alternatives to the present inadequate one.   At the  same
time,  if collusive  games  of  mutual  self deception are
keeping people from perceiving the inadequacies of what is
present; and are blocking conversations and dialogue about
present   inadequacies---it  may  be  helpful  to   reveal
inadequacies  while  admitting that improved  alternatives
are  not  immediately  evident---but  worth  looking  for.
Criticisms  are  improved  by  their  being  coupled  with
expressions   of  interest  in  finding  and/or   devising
improved  alternatives.  Criticisms  are weakened  by  the
absence of any show of interest in finding and/or devising
improved realistic alternatives.

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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