This is the puzzle for me.
If I wrote a novel, it wouldn't be reviewed by people who couldn't read very well, people who couldn't read at all couldn't really hope to experience it as it was intended, obviously they could get an audiobook or have someone explain it to them but something essential to it would be lost.

It would be common ground amongst most people that an expert in literature would be better placed to pass judgement on the novel and whilst people with no formal education in literature were free to read the novel and comment on it, in any consultation about the novel their opinion would not carry the same weight.

It seems to me that people with no formal education or training in art seem much happier to chime in with 'I know what I like' and 'a 5 year old could have done it' and expect to be taken seriously. This puzzles me and I don't think it should be indulged.
( WormuIus, Wed 21 Sep 2011, 13:24, 2 replies, latest was 14 years ago)

I doubt very much Joe Bloggs expect to be taken seriously when passing judgement on art or literature.
They are just giving their opinion whether right or wrong. I'm quite well read for a non literature buff but I wouldn't expect anyone to take my opinion seriously when judging a book.
( girlinthehole, Wed 21 Sep 2011, 13:30, Reply)

So people who read a book and don't like it should not be allowed to tell others why they didn't like it
because they have no formal training in literature?

*edit* What I mean is the same as Blousie really. just because people have an opinion on something doesn't mean they will be taken seriously at all. I went to Vatican City and had a look at all the fancy paintings and statues. I know nothing of Ancient Roman Art but I still felt qualified to say to people, hey you should go see that stuff it was awesome.

The people who comment on art with no formal training seem to only get told off for it when they say something negative. When they say "I love that bed/shark/glass of water" no-one has a problem. When they say "That's shit" they're opinion isn't valid because they aren't trained.
( Peej, Wed 21 Sep 2011, 13:31, Reply)

It was the elitist eliment in art school that really pushed my buttons when I was there.

( girlinthehole, Wed 21 Sep 2011, 13:38, Reply)

I work for a top 20 art college/university
99% of the stuff I see created is toss but the students strut about like they are geniuses. My brother has a fine art degree, he is 23, unemployed and has only ever found unskilled labouring jobs.
( Peej, Wed 21 Sep 2011, 13:43, Reply)