Notes on useful critique

Critique is a fundamental practice for signal making as a group, and yet I have frequently been surprised by how often it is neglected.

Functional critique cultures accrete shared wisdom and safety; dysfunctional critique cultures accrete confabulation.

Based on experiences from making art and software, these are some notes on getting people in a room to evaluate a thing.

When giving feedback:

• The time is not yours
• The artifact is the focus (not the maker or their work)
• Link elements of the artifact to their effect; name the gap between intent and effect
• Specificity is valuable; prescription is not
• Nobody cares about what you know
• Your view is sacrificial; it is one impulse among many

When receiving feedback:

• The time is yours
• Hone the artifact, not your ego
• Pursue actionable feedback; ignore noise
• Some feedback may require excavation; some may require dwelling
• Preciousness chills the room
• Your artifact is sacrificial; it is not your work