When I posted the Feedback Theory article yesterday I wouldn’t have imagined the reception from several of the more experienced. It was in a near rough-draft condition when it was posted and yet people openly responded with criticism and advice which I immediate used to improve it. If it could not be used at the moment, it was written down as a future note. But it was also uplifting and raised my optimism about my own works.

Those exchanges within the last twenty four hours spurred me to write this.

As a note before I proceed with the article, I acknowledge I am still considered a “new guy”, but I hold the belief that every voice should at least be heard if it dares to call out from the silence. 

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Growing as a Community

PMC has been around for years. The established crafters of the community have grown to popularity and many aspiring creators still post to this day. Regardless of whether or not the subject is a project, skin, texture pack, mod, or blog, the aspirant’s entry into their portfolio is a simple request to the world to look at their work.

Unfortunately, it is at this stage where expectations are either exceeded or failed.

Many new crafters with low subscriber counts are generally skimmed over unless their work is eye popping. I generally fall into this category as well and can relate with them; We work hard and post our projects only for them to slip partially unnoticed into the submission void.

Is that the way it’s supposed to work? If you have a large subscriber count, or are popular from off-site (youtube personality, streamer, etc.), and your work is of quality standard, than you should be raking in diamonds, favorites, and comments. They should be advertising in order to garner their fan base and become established.

I’m going to argue that the current system is partially flawed in that regard. Yes, if you have that fan base and you’re advertising your quality work, it deserves to be recognized. However, the new members who are trying to make an impression on the community shouldn’t have to be bellowing through microphones or spamming their works for scraps of feedback. While it is the tested method to grow your base and learn, I don’t view it as appropriate. Just because others had to go through it doesn’t make it a “Right of Promotion” that should be followed strictly.

But what can the viewer, regardless of community status, do about it then?

There is this wonderful tool known as feedback which does exactly what the newer community needs to grow. Everyone has their own definitions of how the feedback system currently in place operates, and it is understandable, because there really is not set guidelines on how it’s done. The following statements are based on how I believe the system should be used and how it can effectively improve the new members of our community.

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The Diamond
The wondrous diamond of minecraft is often the main goal of anyone new to the game, but it does not need to be as rare. I view it as a like button, and every time I give someone a diamond I am saying “I like what I see here. You’ve got something, buddy!” It doesn’t need to be conserved to keep the meaning of the revered diamond stable; Everyone has unlimited diamonds, but if you’re not giving them out, then you’re just hording and it only benefits yourself. Give a diamond and make someone’s day who deserves it for their work.

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The Favorite
This is what I reserve for amazing, quality work that deserves recognition. It is a declaration that you want to see that piece become famous as it adds a link to your own profile; It’s the equivalent of a small piece of advertising. This is one of the highest honors you can give to a work besides continually advertising that piece yourself (you can do that if you’d really like!).

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The Subscribe
I’ve read somewhere this was seen as “useless”, but I don’t see how that’s possible. This is the button I press when I sincerely mean “Your work has potential or has impressed me enough that I would like to see how you improve over time.” Most of my original subscribes were to high level crafters already established.

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The Comments
This is where you can truly give the creator insight into their work. Use this as effectively as you can when you do. Tell them what you like and what you don’t like. “The detailing and depth you created on the roof were very eye catching!” “While the build has an interesting design to it, I feel the color combination could have been chosen better.” “While I don’t agree with the subject matter, your execution of the idea in question was incredible!”

Comments do not have to be all positive. If you do post them positive to raise their spirits, there’s nothing wrong with that; I do it far more often mainly because I’m pretty terrible at giving constructive criticism due to my low impression threshold. Just be sure that your comments are politely stated if they contain criticism since pointers can sometimes be misinterpreted and an unnecessary argument will erupt as a result.

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A Note about Constructive Criticism
Constructive Criticism helps people grow more than anything. If someone is criticizing something about your work, listen to them. It’s likely you can take that advice they’re giving and either improve that project or make your next one tenfold better. Do not attack them regardless if their criticism was impolite or outright aggression; While no one deserves to be ripped apart, you also don’t want to show that you fall easily to personal attacks. Respond appropriately and responsibly and you will be seen in a higher light by the community.

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I use these four tools constantly when I search through the “Recently Updated” and “Latest” tabs. I search them at least once a day in hopes of helping others improve, and I feel the rest of the community can do that as well. Receiving feedback from higher level crafters is very reassuring to a new crafter. Receiving all that criticism and advice yesterday on the perception blog impressed me and showed what the community can do for those who are finding their foothold.

This last part is a simple request: Maybe once or twice a week look through the recently updated and latest tabs and find several items you find interesting (projects, skins, etc.). Give those projects feedback and be polite if leaving a comment. Subscribe to those you think have some serious potential to grow or whose work you appreciate. If you want, stay connected with them when you see new stuff they’ve made that you like. Helping someone improve is a very rewarding experience for both parties and improves the community overall, even if only a little.

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A shout out to Mail Order Cowboy and GrayRemnant for inspiring this article. I stated to the former that I would work on the word wall in the previous article, but I obviously failed that improvement for this one.