Candlesticks
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2018
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I've been recently thinking about what qualities make someone good at reviews.
Often qualities of a reviewer described give a significant amount of focus on prerequisite knowledge, attention to small detail and the ability to evaluate products fairly regardless of the manufacturer.
However, the more I've thought about it there is something I consider more important than any of that. Intellectual honesty.
Ultimately, your experience counts for nothing if you can never admit to be wrong. As is the case often with reviews it relies upon the skills and knowledge of the reviewer to translate data into something meaningful that a consumer can use to decide whether to purchase or not.
Everyone makes mistakes though. If a person can never ever admit to making a mistake it's the consumer who ends up paying the price.
As is so often the case ego gets wrapped up in argument. Conversations get heated. What I consider the most important quality above all in reviews is the person who can show humility to the crowd and admit to being wrong when they are. That doesn't mean deflect until it's unclear who is right or wrong but fully admit to being wrong when they know they are. Why? Because, that shows they put the consumers above their own ego and reputation.
I would rather read the reviews of someone who makes mistakes, admits they are wrong and learns from it than the person with a great deal of experience but who argues to the point of dishonesty to avoid ever admitting being wrong. The former will eventually improve and the latter will eventually become a liability to the people they are meant to inform.
Often qualities of a reviewer described give a significant amount of focus on prerequisite knowledge, attention to small detail and the ability to evaluate products fairly regardless of the manufacturer.
However, the more I've thought about it there is something I consider more important than any of that. Intellectual honesty.
Ultimately, your experience counts for nothing if you can never admit to be wrong. As is the case often with reviews it relies upon the skills and knowledge of the reviewer to translate data into something meaningful that a consumer can use to decide whether to purchase or not.
Everyone makes mistakes though. If a person can never ever admit to making a mistake it's the consumer who ends up paying the price.
As is so often the case ego gets wrapped up in argument. Conversations get heated. What I consider the most important quality above all in reviews is the person who can show humility to the crowd and admit to being wrong when they are. That doesn't mean deflect until it's unclear who is right or wrong but fully admit to being wrong when they know they are. Why? Because, that shows they put the consumers above their own ego and reputation.
I would rather read the reviews of someone who makes mistakes, admits they are wrong and learns from it than the person with a great deal of experience but who argues to the point of dishonesty to avoid ever admitting being wrong. The former will eventually improve and the latter will eventually become a liability to the people they are meant to inform.