I’ve observed that we Americans are connoisseurs of everything. I’ve actually had conversations with people about which restaurant’s soda fountain has the best mix of syrup and water. On a couple occasions. With different people.

It’s easy to see how a highly affluent consumer culture can lead to that kind of gourmet thinking. Amusing though it may be, there’s another side that I feel is getting a little out of control. I see it in myself, and pretty much everyone else I know. We’re all seasoned consumers. It takes some doing to impress some of us.

And we’re all critics.

I just caught up on Heroes, which I thoroughly enjoy. There were a few moments during the latest episode, though, where I shook my head in scorn. “They’re using that scene transition? Seriously? Oh, that line was horrible.” And so on. I’ve discussed Sylar’s character arc with a few people, and voiced my extreme displeasure with some of the choices the writers have made.

I feel as though I’m somehow qualified to criticize because I’ve consumed an awful lot of stories, including more than a few superhero stories. I’ve even written… uh… well, something. Anyway, I feel qualified.

However I may feel, though, I’m not the one who built the characters and their world, cranked out a script, pitched the idea well enough to actually sell it, signed a contract with Universal, and got my material broadcast into millions of homes.

I guess I just wanted to take a second to recognize that, while I might have my opinions and preferences, my writing isn’t driving the careers of an entire cast of actors. I will admit, I’m hoping that might change someday.