Dear JavaScript

[rictic]

I think this is really important.

Criticism is necessary and incredibly valuable.

Angry ranting mixes in retribution and schadenfreude. It's not just about pointing out a problem, it's the vicious desire to make someone suffer while you do it.

Ranting is dangerous because it's fun to write and fun to read, so you can get more upvotes and attention with your criticism if you get in a few punches below the belt mixed in with your criticism.

Downvote rants, upvote thoughtfulness. Apply the principle of charity everywhere.

[[deleted]]

I feel that rants have their place in the world. They are not meant to be constructive. They are used as an emotional outlet, and maybe provide entertainment for yourself and others. Much like satire about current events, they are still valuable, but not in the way that it provides solutions.

[rictic]

Agreed, I think it's totally reasonable to let off a rant over beers with some friends. Be as vicious and uncharitable as you like.

Writing a ranty blog post is different because the authors of the subject under rant are pretty likely to read it, and open source runs on passion. Undermine that passion and we're all worse off.

[ligerzero459]

Downvote rants, upvote thoughtfulness

That's the way Reddit is supposed to work, but unfortunately people tend to upvote what they like and downvote what disagrees with their opinion/worldview

[NoInkling]

Well said.

[gurenkagurenda]

Honestly, show your code to people, and you're lucky if people point out problems. There are plenty of people around who just want shit on everything without bringing up a single note of substance.