February ConTExt Question

Opinions on the authority of opinions.

There’s more to every question than meets the ask. Social feed–consuming trends. Contemporary sensations. History repeating itself. The list goes on. The queries never end.

Enter: ConTExt Questions. A monthly series where we tackle one timely question shaped by the moment we’re living in and how we perceive it. No right answers here. We’re looking for responses informed by real perspectives, lived experience, and an understanding that ConTExt is everything.

For February’s ConTExt Question, we’ve got award season on the brain. A time where the brightest stars in music, film, TV, and more are championed for their achievements. But with the celebration comes scrutiny. In an era where platforms thrive on engagement, critique has become both currency and content.

That leads us to beg the question…

WHO GETS TO BE A CRITIC?

"Anyone has the right to be a critic - that’s a deal an artist makes with the recipient. However, to be impactful critic, one must have deep empathy and knowledge of the artistic progress and strong sense of the medium being able to impact the audience in a substantial way.” Cullen, Strategy

“Access made everyone a commentator; judgment should be earned by those who understand the power of a platform, use it responsibly, and bring perspective, responsibility, and intent.” Madeline, PR

“Anyone online can be a critic and share their POV but a ‘REAL’ critic is someone who has in depth knowledge or experience on the topic.“ Val, President/Head of Accounts

“Being a critic should be reserved for those that are experts in that field and that’s it! Everyone has the right to their own opinion but not everyone needs to or wants to hear your input on something that has nothing to do with you.“ Sophia, Social

“Leave it to the professionals and the true thinkers. Everyone’s entitled to an opinion, yet that doesn’t make it’s valid. Critical thought and genuine care of the subject matters when considering someone a ‘critic’.“ Kylah, Strategy

“Providers.” Tylan, Content Production

“Criticism should belong primarily to those who are actually in the work, not spectators grading from the stands. Roosevelt said it cleanest in ‘The Man in the Arena.’ Basically, a critic IMO should be someone with a little dust on their shoes.” Jeff, Design

“Everyone deserves a right to an opinion. Few deserve to be a voice of authority on a craft, especially when they have limited knowledge on or practice of it.“ Noe, Social

“In today’s world, everyone is positioned as a critic, we are all curators & savants with extravagant taste, but this is only enabled through access and proximity…The true critic is recognized through attentiveness. It’s about listening, not necessarily to the words, but it’s listening to the breaths in between them — ultimately the person who learns to articulate what most can only feel.” Walter, Accounts

“While everyone is entitled to an opinion as a consumer, real, meaningful critique requires industry context and comes from those who understand the nuances of the product and can clearly articulate and support their perspective with research.” Kaylin, Talent

“I mean... technically anyone. The real question is what voices and thoughts are worth listening to. At the end of the day the value placed on an individual’s opinion is quite literally subjective. So I think neophytes and experts alike have a voice to be heard. But who’s actually listening?” Miles, Strategy

You’ve read our thoughts, now let’s see yours. Drop your answers to us so we can keep these conversations going.