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Obviously no one likes being criticised, but we all must inevitably come up against it now and again, in life and in work. How do we stop it from hurting, though? How do we take on board the necessary feedback without feeling under personal attack?
One suggestion, as set out in a refreshing article we published this week, is to draw on the thinking of philosopher Hannah Arendt, who advocated separating who we are from what we are. In this way of thinking, we understand that a criticism of something we’ve done is not the same as a criticism of our identity as a person.
Criticisms flew thick and fast in post-war Britain when it was suggested that doctors give up their lucrative private contracts to work in a new public health system called the National Health Service. The vast majority of GPs thought it was a terrible idea and made life incredibly difficult for health minister Nye Bevan. The legacy of their lengthy negotiations, and the red lines they imposed, still shapes the NHS today.
As yesterday marked 30 years since the untimely death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, we’ve been pondering what set him apart as an artist and cultural icon. This music marketing expert proposes that part of what made him such an appealing artist was his resistance to commercialisation.
Also this week, we’ve been remembering the incredible impact made by psychologist Daniel Kahneman after his recent passing, looking back at the past with rightwingers and towards the future with leftwingers — and getting very opinionated about women painters.
And the Conversation Weekly podcast has been delving into the already legendary spat between geologists about whether the Anthropocene is or isn’t a thing.
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