Sotha

It's only aggravated by our unhealthy postmodernist swings in society. Lots of people need help.

Sotha's comment re: cricism.

This is something I try to do in all things - students will better respond to "deconstructive" critique if it is followed by "constructive" critique of their work.

A compliment must always have some kind of back-hander, as people are unused to receiving positive criticism - in some cases, unable to receive it due to the disparity between themselves and the standard of their work.

A kind word (preferably action)...

...can make all the difference.

It starts with this.

Other people judge and qualify me (eg, I am not an artist, unless I am doing it and people say that I am).

I am not qualified to judge myself or others - only a person's work.

Critiquing the work depersonalises the issue and thereby affects condifence in other ways, without affecting psyche.

I agree - praise the work, not the person.