Journal #11

In response to Journal 3

Initially I considered that writers dislike peer reviews out of a sort of superiority complex, that your peer reviewers may be under qualified to give appropriate advice; however, I would consider now that this distaste stems from fear of being considered wrong. Going through the process of writing major paper one and major paper two, as well peer reviewing the papers of my classmates I think many writers feel anxiety in sharing their work out of fear of entering into a conversation and be proven wrong. Many writers, especially in the environment of the university, are scared to show any plausible weakness because there is a stigma surrounding being wrong, and addressing one’s faults  – which in turn grants permission to criticize their knowledge. It is by the fear in the superiority of others, not our own wisdom, that steers writers away from peer reviews. No one likes admitting to the fact that they lack authority on a subject, therefore people are nervous to enter into the conversation where their knowledge is seemingly tested.