--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a writer of criticism, the consumer…" description: "\"As a writer of criticism, the consumer thing is the least interesting thing, but as a critic, the single worst thing you can do is send a reader to was..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/jonathan-gold-35329_books_as-a-writer-of-criticism-the-consumer-th_609715.png" --- # As a writer of criticism, the consumer thing is the least… ![“As a writer of criticism, the consumer thing is the least interesting thing, but as a critic, the single worst thing you can do is send a reader to waste time and money on something - even if it's something you personally love. You have to indicate the reasons why you love it and they'll hate it.” quote by Jonathan Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/jonathan-gold-35329_books_as-a-writer-of-criticism-the-consumer-th_609715.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/jonathan-gold-35329_books_as-a-writer-of-criticism-the-consumer-th_609715.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/jonathan-gold-35329_books_as-a-writer-of-criticism-the-consumer-th_609715.png) > “As a writer of criticism, the consumer thing is the least interesting thing, but as a critic, the single worst thing you can do is send a reader to waste time and money on something - even if it's something you personally love. You have to indicate the reasons why you love it and they'll hate it.” [Jonathan Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gold/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critics should not merely praise works they love; they must explain why, allowing readers to form their own judgments. **In simple terms:** Explain love, don’t just recommend. Key Takeaway Provide reasons, not blind endorsement. Themes criticism responsibility transparency Mood thoughtful analytical Type advice ethical When to use this quote - book reviews - film criticism - restaurant reviews - art exhibitions Key Concepts literary analysis ethical persuasion Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance personal taste with objective analysis? - What criteria help you justify recommendations? A Different Perspective Readers may still disagree despite explanations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Consumers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumers/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time and money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-and-money/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) [Wasting time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasting-time/) [Worst things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-things/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“always put off writing by reorganizing my entire house and spending way too much time and money buying office supplies and organizing systems. 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Poor and stupid before they learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/i-take-from-the-poor-and-give-to-the-rich-they-just-happen-to-be-the/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) ## More by Jonathan Gold > [I think every culture is passionate about food; some are just passionate about food and the food is shitty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gold/i-think-every-culture-is-passionate-about-food-some-are-just/) [Jonathan Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gold/) > [I'm lucky to be in food at the moment, because we're living in a time where so many people are obsessed with it. People…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gold/i-m-lucky-to-be-in-food-at-the-moment-because-we-re-living-in-a-time/) [Jonathan Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gold/) > [Everybody talks about the internet being the ultimate repository of cooking knowledge. But it's not. 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The knowledge is there, but no one knows how to use it right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gold/it-s-funny-how-everyone-has-a-bizarre-relationship-with-google-the/) [Jonathan Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gold/) > [I don't go to McDonalds, but when I was working for Gourmet magazine in New York City, my daughter liked to go there. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gold/i-don-t-go-to-mcdonalds-but-when-i-was-working-for-gourmet-magazine/) [Jonathan Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gold/) > [When it's done properly, taco should be a verb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gold/when-it-s-done-properly-taco-should-be-a-verb/) [Jonathan Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gold/) > [I write mostly positive reviews. 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