> Simon is not the only one who is brutally honest of the three but I feel like he continues to kick some of the contestants in the head after the first jarring statement or two. Usually this is not needed, as you say, and I believe counter-productive to his cause for some people.

That pretty much defines the distinction for me, and that's a good point about it being counterproductive sometimes.

> Brutal honesty, go for it. Some people will take it hard. But tell them it isn't going to happen and briefly tell them why and let it be.

I'm with you. I certainly don't advocate the softening of hard truths. I guess my point is that, while the truth may be brutal sometimes, the person delivering it need not add to the brutality. Especially not in the name of entertaining television audiences.

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Here's a spin-off thought that stemmed from your comment about Simon sometimes being counterproductive. It's true: I've seen people leave that show after a thrashing more determined than ever. Even when it's obvious to *me*, never mind a professional talent scout, that nothing could ever possibly come of it. I mean, I'm an absolutely terrible singer and could never make it as one, and some of these kids with aspirations of stardom are stunningly worse than me.

However, sometimes even the professionals are wrong. An awful lot of people -- not just stars but regular old Joes that make successes of their lives in one field or another -- have anecdotes about how their fourth grade teacher or a studio executive or a trainer or somebody said they'd never make it and might as well quit.

I have a lot of respect for people who define themselves *by* themselves, rather than by other people's opinions. I have a lot of respect for people who persevere, work at things, and climb their way up even if every step is an arduous fight. On the other hand, I have respect for people who accept criticism, recognize their weaknesses, and know when to accept defeat.

Where's the line? Sometimes, when people come away from Simon's thrashing and resolve to continue to pursue their dreams no matter what, this strikes me as an admirably courageous move. Other times, it strikes me as an inability to accept criticism (however problematically delivered) and admit one's weaknesses. Usually my reaction is a composite of both. I suppose which side is dominant depends on whether or not I think that person is a lost cause or not, but who am *I* to make that call? I don't even know these people. Hence why my reactions are usually closely mixed rather than conclusive.