When a whiz kid in computer technology makes a goof

We call it “good taste”. Yet utter lack of it was what astonished me about those who bombarded me with e-mail. Even though last week’s mistakes were not mine, the fact that the criticisms were aimed at me was not what bothered me.

After all, the complainants may not know how a newspaper is structured and works.

Infinitely more important than that, criticism -- and even self-criticism -- is a habit which is direly lacking in our society, a habit which we must urgently cultivate. If last week’s problem had been mine, it wouldn’t have harmed me to admit it and apologise to the readers.

Kenyans in all walks of life -- especially in the professionals (lawyers, academicians, schoolteachers, priests, editors, NGO executives, the whole lot) -- inflict serious wrongs on our society every day.

Why do they find it so difficult to own their mistakes, apologise and even resign?

And why do we confuse criticism with insolence?

A number of those who sent me e-mail linked last week’s orthographical problem with my language column in the Saturday Nation. Some uttered words to the effect that, because of it, I am not equal to the task of writing a language column.

For criticism to be of any avail, it must be logical and cogent, pointing out a person’s mistakes politely and without abusing him. For abuse -- because it does not inform but tends to destroy the target’s work spirit -- cannot help him to reform his attitude and way of doing things.

If you have problems with my language column, please set out the problems and detail the ways in which you think I can improve it.

But by merely pouring a spate of uneducated words on your pet-peeve, you are only exposing your own intellectual vacuity.

ochiengotani@yahoo.com