It’s the day after the Academy Awards and the Web is filled with questions and snarky critiques of the proceedings. Was Heidi Klum’s dress too revealing? (Yes, she has breasts. She’s a woman!) Did the darts in Ann Hathaway’s dress look like nipples? (Only if you have difficulty telling fabric and flesh apart.) Why was the First Lady invited to appear via satellite? (Why not?) Did Seth MacFarlane live up to Billy Crystal and Bob Hope as emcee? (Seriously?)

What if the tables were turned?

Maybe you could imagine how critics might have torn apart that prom dress you bought, then tried to return the next day. Maybe you could imagine how critics might have analyzed every word of your gig as emcee at your high school’s variety show. Maybe you could imagine what it would be like to have critics analyze your every move and everything you wear. Maybe you could imagine a complete loss of privacy with paparazzi blinding you with camera flashes everywhere you go.

Our treatment of celebrities seems cruel at best and insane at worst. Why not just admire them for their talents? Period.

Why do we have to build them up only so we can delight in tearing them down? For what purpose? Do we really need to have someone to criticize to make us feel better about ourselves? Here’s an idea: As an alternative, why don’t we put that time and effort into self-improvement? Why don’t we simply ignore which celebrity is wearing what? Why don’t we ignore what or who they are doing outside of their chosen field?

There’s nothing wrong with criticizing someone’s performance. But it’s better to look for the things that are good.

If we all spent more time being positive, maybe we wouldn’t feel so bad about ourselves that we feel the need to tear others apart.