Definition:

The difficulty breaks down like this:

1. Certainly we cannot get things done just by talking about them.

2. And yet, feedback can be useful, i.e., if there are mechanisms for responding to it in a useful fashion.

3. The associated anti-pattern is a special case of the prototypical Batesonian double bind, “the father who says to his son: go ahead, criticize me, but strongly hints that all effective criticism will be very unwelcome” [1], p. 88.

Problem:

Criticism is not always useful. Sometimes it is just “noise”.

(Bogus) Solution:

It’s tempting to create “open” systems that inadvertantly replicate the double bind — by being open to criticism, but unable to act on it effectively.

Challenges:

A long list of criticisms that haven’t been dealt with is maybe better than no communication at all, but it’s also a tell-tale sign of deeper dissatisfaction. It’s better to make sure you have enough bandwidth (see Carrying Capacity) for dealing with a given class of problems and issues. Adjust your focus accordingly, but be careful (see “Isolation”).

What’s Next:

We have hinted that, in this project, effective criticism is very welcome! But understanding what makes criticism effective is, in general, still a research problem.

Reference:

1. Deleuze, G., and Guattari, F. (2004). Anti-oedipus. Continuum International Publishing Group.