Film critic Roger Ebert wrote this shortly after the 2009 Academy Awards broadcast, which he enjoyed watching.

“Snarking is cultural vandalism. I have arrived at this conclusion belatedly. I have been guilty of snarking, and of enjoying snarks. In the matter of snarking, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But it has grown entirely out of hand. It is time to put away childish things. I must restore my balance, view the world in a fair way, hope to inspire more appreciation than ridicule. No doubt there will always be a role for snarking, given the proper target and an appropriate venue, and I reserve the right to snark when it is deserved, as in certain movie reviews. But in general I must become more well-behaved.

“This process of reevaluating snarking has been good for me. It is easy to snark, and I am a clever writer. I must resolve not to take cheap shots… 

“It’s important sometimes to be reminded that it’s okay to admire. To praise. To enjoy yourself. To admit to having a good time. To not care about what other, snarkier, people might say.”

Roger Ebert’s Journal: Chicago Sun Times, February 25, 2009

*In a completely subjective and idiosyncratic way, this blog will recognize people whose thoughts and/or actions reflect a “small boat ethic” as described in earlier posts.