“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, and in general, be nothing.” Just think that these very actual words were said long ago, in the 4th century BC. They are written by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, one of the forefathers of modern Western science. Probably he knew something to say so. I cannot say whether he was able to make this thought accessible to his pupil Alexander the Great. I doubt, because especially, the rulers and politicians are unable listen to the criticism calm and cool. They are very much upset.
Over 25 centuries, they are dividing criticism between constructive and non- constructive, fair and unfair, offended and unoffended. Constructiveness probably is the one that starts with the preamble “You are wise from the outset”, and then the critical theses are described. But, it seems to me that the initial reverences are not so mandatory. Lend an ear to what your critics are saying to you, and if you find a rational kernel, take the chance, and if you do not find it, it’s not a big tragedy. As for “fair” and “unfair” criticism, it is very relative. For example, a person who is unable to achieve his goals, he considered it “unfair”, although usually he has no reasons to blame anyone but him. Or, we and Azerbaijanis are demanding a “fair solution” of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but we understand diametrically opposite things under it.
Hence, in case of the criticism, constructive and non-constructive, fair and unfair, so-called, are false categories. What remains is to be offended and unoffended. Parallel to the culture of rallies, and then the development of the Internet and Facebook, the critical vocabulary, of course, is becoming increasingly unrestrained. But even in this case I would not be upset, I would just pass by and would not spoil my karma by taking the offense (as I was doing it earlier by mistake). Who knows in what state of mind this blasphemer is, I am not the one to judge him. If the swearword is not as such that the citizens under 18 should not read it, then everything is fine.
Back to the critics, I must note that government officials, party leaders, and oligarchs have found the way to defend themselves from unnecessary upset – they have their own TV channels and websites, and view only them by perceiving the reality from the perspective of their favor. In this regard, I recalled that in 1923-24, Stalin was publishing a separate “Pravda” by one copy for deathly ill Lenin, with only optimistic news. So that the leader would not get upset.
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ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
