Over/underrated?

Finnforest wrote: I really don’t have a problem with people using those terms so long as they’re not outwardly snotty about it.  I’m not offended by it.  They’re just commenting on an overall, average number.  They are not necessarily judging other raters or saying those raters are wrong, as some suggest, they are simply giving their personal reaction to that big number.  Their opinion of that number seems as valid as their opinion of the album’s production or music.    Really, if they give Foxtrot 2 stars, by their very act of giving it that rating it they are telling you they think it’s over-rated. Why is the word so objectionable, when a person’s rating implies the same information?

I agree with this, especially that second bit.  Well said.

^ I'm not really "offended" by the typical use of the words here, Finn, I just find them to be an unthinking, inexact or ignorant (as in, uninformed -- not rude) use of language. I get that it's all opinion, but words are my living, and a huge part of who I am -- how we say what we want to say is huge, to me. (I think most people don't use language particularly well, especially in writing.) There are more accurate, exacting  ways to say "this is popular, but I don't like it" (as opposed to "they are all wrong, and I'm right"), but that takes more effort, care, and knowledge of actual, literal word meaning. Most folks will perhaps never care, or read into things "too deeply" (many of these people don't care about lyrics much, for example), but others will, as people are different. It's predictable, normal and thus good that we react differently to how things are expressed/written, and I think it is good that the written word has its "judges" (such as professional writers, critics, teachers, etc.) who basically establish meaning and parameters (which admittedly evolve with popular useage). Otherwise, if anyone can mean anything by the use of given words, phrases, etc, actual communication (conveying understanding from one to another) is hindered. There is a maxim that "the function of language is to communicate, not obfuscate." Without established rules and conventions, understanding is not there -- you know what you mean, but do I?

Edited by Peter - July 07 2011 at 11:14

Finnforest wrote: I really don’t have a problem with people using those terms so long as they’re not outwardly snotty about it.  I’m not offended by it.  They’re just commenting on an overall, average number.  They are not necessarily judging other raters or saying those raters are wrong, as some suggest, they are simply giving their personal reaction to that big number.  Their opinion of that number seems as valid as their opinion of the album’s production or music.    Really, if they give Foxtrot 2 stars, by their very act of giving it that rating it they are telling you they think it’s over-rated. Why is the word so objectionable, when a person’s rating implies the same information?

Yeah really, one day people will understand everything, (but especially music) is objective. Even if someone is snobby about it, tis all our opinion. So while you are right, sometimes we just feel an album/band is regarded too high or too low, even if someone is passing judgment on other people, saying they are wrong and stupid....it's their opinion!

So who cares? No point getting worked up over it, just ignore em.
If for whatever reason someone disagrees or is upset by any of that feel free to tell me, but FYI it's my opinion and frankly I dont care

JJLehto wrote: Finnforest wrote: I really don’t have a problem with people using those terms so long as they’re not outwardly snotty about it.  I’m not offended by it.  They’re just commenting on an overall, average number.  They are not necessarily judging other raters or saying those raters are wrong, as some suggest, they are simply giving their personal reaction to that big number.  Their opinion of that number seems as valid as their opinion of the album’s production or music.    Really, if they give Foxtrot 2 stars, by their very act of giving it that rating it they are telling you they think it’s over-rated. Why is the word so objectionable, when a person’s rating implies the same information?  Yeah really, one day people will understand everything, (but especially music) is objective. Even if someone is snobby about it, tis all our opinion. So while you are right, sometimes we just feel an album/band is regarded too high or too low, even if someone is passing judgment on other people, saying they are wrong and stupid....it's their opinion! So who cares? No point getting worked up over it, just ignore em. If for whatever reason someone disagrees or is upset by any of that feel free to tell me, but FYI it's my opinion and frankly I dont care

Shirley you mean subjective...

I don't get what is upsetting about these words, they seem to me to just follow from the nature of judgment itself.




Edited by QuestionableScum - July 07 2011 at 15:08

Padraic wrote: Dean wrote: JJLehto wrote: Finnforest wrote: I really don’t have a problem with people using those terms so long as they’re not outwardly snotty about it.  I’m not offended by it.  They’re just commenting on an overall, average number.  They are not necessarily judging other raters or saying those raters are wrong, as some suggest, they are simply giving their personal reaction to that big number.  Their opinion of that number seems as valid as their opinion of the album’s production or music.    Really, if they give Foxtrot 2 stars, by their very act of giving it that rating it they are telling you they think it’s over-rated. Why is the word so objectionable, when a person’s rating implies the same information?  Yeah really, one day people will understand everything, (but especially music) is objective. Even if someone is snobby about it, tis all our opinion. So while you are right, sometimes we just feel an album/band is regarded too high or too low, even if someone is passing judgment on other people, saying they are wrong and stupid....it's their opinion! So who cares? No point getting worked up over it, just ignore em. If for whatever reason someone disagrees or is upset by any of that feel free to tell me, but FYI it's my opinion and frankly I dont care Shirley you mean subjective... What he meant is purely a matter of opinion.

quite.

rushfan4 wrote: JJLehto wrote: Finnforest wrote: I really don’t have a problem with people using those terms so long as they’re not outwardly snotty about it.  I’m not offended by it.  They’re just commenting on an overall, average number.  They are not necessarily judging other raters or saying those raters are wrong, as some suggest, they are simply giving their personal reaction to that big number.  Their opinion of that number seems as valid as their opinion of the album’s production or music.    Really, if they give Foxtrot 2 stars, by their very act of giving it that rating it they are telling you they think it’s over-rated. Why is the word so objectionable, when a person’s rating implies the same information?  Yeah really, one day people will understand everything, (but especially music) is objective. Even if someone is snobby about it, tis all our opinion. So while you are right, sometimes we just feel an album/band is regarded too high or too low, even if someone is passing judgment on other people, saying they are wrong and stupid....it's their opinion! So who cares? No point getting worked up over it, just ignore em. If for whatever reason someone disagrees or is upset by any of that feel free to tell me, but FYI it's my opinion and frankly I dont care You opinion of yourself is overrated, and not caring is highly underrated.

How can my opinion of myself be overrated when I am so clearly awesome and right in every aspect of life

And don't call me Shirley , Dean


Edited by JJLehto - July 07 2011 at 19:53