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Andrey “Rarst” Savchenko —  — Thoughts — bradblogging, comment, javascript

Catching hate for negative thinking

It’s been quite a few months since I voiced my dislike for lightboxes at Jquery Slideshows post over at BradBlogging. Those few comments attracted more flame my way than few hundred posts at this blog.

It got me thinking – is negative opinion better subject to flame? Quite ironic.

hate

hate

Image by -Marlith-

Looking for faults

Some time early this year I had stumbled into Wikipedia article on depressive realism. This clicks with my character a lot. I fail to keep positive attitude for over ten minutes and any challenging task invokes few heavy whining cycles.

It helps me think.

I don’t believe into lists of awesomeness. If something needs to be done than there are reasons it isn’t done already. And those reasons must be precisely evaluated and processed. Rose-colored glasses are last thing I want for that.

Getting back to JavaScript – where some people seem to see pure bliss I see technology too accessible and abused. With long history of poor compatibility (ask any long time Opera users what he thinks about Google web apps) and cultivating questionable design decisions. Those very lightboxes in question.

Stepping on toes

Imagine person carefully making list of every single site without JS and going through them, telling owners that they suck. Clearly bonkers.

Yet… for voicing my vaguely worded dislike for poor JS techniques I got called ancient, out of line, lazy, unwilling to learn, lame and worthy of a cave for habitat.

After rolling it in my head much later I realize it was not about my opinion at all. It was about attacking whatever opinion that seems to differ.

Which, for my taste, is as lame as things get.

Things in perspective

Curiously latest comment aimed at me came months after my blog got very own slideshow in header. Gosh, if you are going to tell someone he is retarded at least check out his link. :)

In months that passed and with experience that comes from managing this blog I had got much more clear understanding of JS/AJAX/jQuery nuances. I knew that it is huge part of web before, but now I see that part better.

I still think poorly done lightboxes must die.

Overall

I may not be at best odds with JS. But is my dislike on same scale as personal attack based on technology opinion? You tell me.

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11 Comments

  • cmpm #

    Seems to me that sometimes comments like you describe are really an interest in more of the basis and knowledge you acquired of you opinion. Which they do not know. Or there is a certain 'click' among certain sites, and when you cross the popular opinion, you get flamed, ignored or silently blacklisted. Stupid, but it happens. Sometimes it's best to ignore the flame and jabs at your person, because they really don't know you. Just my 2 cents from a receiver of such ignorance.

  • Lyndi #

    Like so many things JS is one of those things that can be taken a bit too far. I will use a good script if there is no other feasible solution to that which I want to do. On the light box issue I tend to agree with you. Maybe we have all just seen one too many light box. When a script basically just slows a page down and does very little else, it should be avoided.

  • Rarst #

    @cmpm Yep, it is curious leap from what my attitude towards specific technology is to my supposed knowledge and personality. @Lyndi I hear you on "too far". :) Especially when multiply scripts are used without any kind of optimization. It is not uncommon to see pages with twenty and more scripts nowadays.

  • kelltic #

    What? You dared to disagree with the "vast" majority? It's good to get slapped around a little bit. Shows you're honest and not afraid to voice a minority opinion. I come here to read your opinions, not everyone else's. Keep sticking your neck out. That's why I like you - that and we both enjoy cave living.

  • Rarst #

    @kelltic Hehe, I am not a minority, I am myself. :) This blog is more about thinhs I like than things I dislike. So it is curious for me how negative opinion provokes more reaction. By the way when I share negative opinions here I always get very constructive feedback. I hope that somewhat reflects my own attitude - try to learn, think and make educated decision instead of going with the flow.

  • rainbowsky #

    Oooh! I really do hope Jason F. over at Lifehacker reads your cogent remarks concerning disagreement and the necessity for mentioning those subtle mistakes in blogging that create chaos, distrust and mediocrity. He booted me off (forever I assume) for making a simple observation of blatant professional misconduct and failed to take ownership of a problem he actually created. http://lifehacker.com/5321371/wallpaper-roundup-ocean-views-and-abstract-blues/gallery/#c14416771

  • Rarst #

    @rainbowsky I am pretty sure no one from Lifehacker reads this blog. :)

  • Chocobito #

    Total agree with this post, also happen to me sometimes :(

  • Rarst #

    @Chocobito I guess happens to everyone who actually does anything beside lurking online. :)

  • Brad Blogging.com - Personal Blog Tips And Blog Help #

    I'd take one comment against a post's idea than 100 agreeing with the post and "praising" it. Interesting post! Depressive realism seems like a drag though.

  • Rarst #

    @Brad Depressive realism seems like a drag though. You get used to it after first twenty years. :)