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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sunseeker" data-source="post: 7278787">Because you have moved from fact-based argumentation to opinion-based statements.Lets take the following examples:Bob the wealthy, well-to-do, kindly noble, with a loving wife and doing children.vs.Bob the noble.The former is certainly more descriptive, more robust, possibly more flavorful.  The latter is simpler, less descriptive and potentially less flavorful.  BUT, is the latter lazy?  Lazy implies that less work was done on the character than should have been (a subjective standard defined only by the person making the lazy claim.  Indeed, the claimant could argue that both are lazy and that one should have at least a 10 page backstory detailing the entire family history of Bob the Noble.  We can rationally discuss the amount of information provided, if it is greater or lesser.  We can to some degree, infer how much impact more detail vs less might have on the players ability to visualize an NPC.  We cannot do any of these things when words like "lazy" start getting tossed around.  Especially if the tone becomes accusatory, there's a fairly wide gulf between "Hawk Diesel I think Bob the Noble is lazy on your part." and "Hawk Diesel I think you are a lazy DM!"As far as armchair quarterbacking goes, the difference is between critique and criticism.  Referring to the previous paragraph:"Hawk Diesel I think Bob the Noble is lazy on your part, and your DMing would improve if you gave Bob a more robust backstory." is an example of critique (while still calling you a lazy DM of course).However: "Hawk Diesel I think you are a lazy DM!" is just plain old criticism.  It doesn't help you by even explaining what you were being lazy on and then fails to add any substantive support to its argument or any constructive advice.  People are quick to criticize because it is easy.  It places no burden on them and makes them feel like they've "done their part".  (which of course, they haven't).  Critique is hard and it provides the target an opportunity to reply, because objective, fact-based discourse can be disputed, but subjective, opinion-based statements can be yelled at, but not really disputed.--edit: I have no idea why mention tags aren't working for me.  Bah.</blockquote>

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