Criticism

I was thinking about criticism and its overall effect on the state of the universe. I've discovered that there is more than one kind. Basically, there are two kinds: the helpful kind that lets you know you're doing something wrong, and the BS jerks write about people's stuff just because they didn't like it. It may just be me, but I think that criticism should focus on the WORK! I've read and heard about a lot of critics who actually attack the writer or artist in their critiques. That's just rude. And wrong and hurtful. Not everybody likes the same things. So obviously, if you don't like somebody's stuff and have a loud opinion about it, great. Go for it. But leave the artist/writer out of it. There's been too much of this going around in politics too. Attacking the personal lives of people for one mistake or just because they don't like them. It's awful. I read a post by Mrs. Paul, who is a fellow writer and blogger. She said that it's best to ignore most criticism, good and bad, because chances are, everybody's wrong about your stuff. It might not be great, but it might not be terrible. Great advice! Never read reviews of your own work unless it's from people you know or trust to be helpful.
I read a book review today for 'Idlewild' by Nick Sagan. On amazon.com, people rate the book from 5 stars to 1 star. The star count was pretty equal fives against ones and twos. And just about everything that the five people said was great about the book, the ones and twos said was terrible. So... what the heck? Makes no sense, you say? Everyone is going to see things differently. And that sucks sometimes, but variety is the spice of life. (I think that's how it goes...)
My opinion: Criticism is vastly overrated.