OPINION: Young Xavier Hartstonge made the cardinal mistake of being critical of Christchurch in an opinion piece this week – labelling the city boring and suggesting there's nothing for young people to do.

No sooner had the piece landed than the internet got white hot with chatter as proud Cantabrians sought to justify life decisions.

Did you read it?

JOHN MAICH/SUPPLIED Some were offended by Hartstonge's comments about the city.

I thought it was a nice little piece, well-constructed and offering a suggestion where others finish at the complaint.

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He thinks Christchurch is boring and his idea is a beach in Hagley Park. He hoped a beach could be a launch-pad for markets, theatre, gigs etc.

David Walker Johnny Moore: I'd suggest that if you're looking for an exciting city, Christchurch isn't the place for you.

There you have it, sounds no less reasonable than half the ideas being promoted by those in charge.

But the public was deeply offended. How dare this young man suggest Christchurch is boring. "What about all the mountain biking tracks?"

While I don't agree with his plan, I agree with his right to present an idea and have a crack at proposing something while all the keyboard warriors sit home in dens, espousing nastiness.

I don't like the idea myself. I'd hope we were moving away from creating fake environments and toward protecting and creating real ones.

Our environment has been raped and pillaged since Captain Cook first sent a couple of blokes ashore to check if the Tangata Whenua were friendly, and I'd think trying to recreate some of the real stuff would be a better pit to throw money into.

A better goal that would still achieve Xavier's swim might be trying to clean up the sewer that is the Avon River and create a swimming hole. But that's neither here nor there.

What I'm worried about is that whenever anyone has an idea, people get snarky and defensive.

Why would you put yourself out there at all unless you're pathological or an aspiring politician (see: pathological)?

I'm afraid to inform all you sensitive souls that Christchurch is boring for young people when compared to any city of size in the world.

I'd suggest that if you're looking for an exciting city, Christchurch isn't the place for you.

As a long-time resident, I've noticed that those seeking big adventure tend to head elsewhere in the world and those who stay or return to Christchurch are the breeders.

Because that's what Christchurch is a great place for – raising a family.

I think the charm of the city is what lies within reach; the beaches, the mountains, the rivers and the isolation that can be found not far from the city.

But I realise that beaches, mountains and being excited about regenerating bush isn't exactly what a bunch of 20-somethigs are going to suggest makes for an exciting city.

So let's be realistic that Christchurch is never going to compete with Shanghai or Istanbul, but let's keep the dialogue going with young people so we can ask them how they might be included in the rebuild.

Because at the moment there's a bunch of old (mainly) men in suits telling us about an exciting, vibrant city when you get the feeling that the most exciting thing these people do is check how much their investment property has gone up in value.

Maybe we should encourage a few more ideas from those who will inherit the city and stop being so damn nasty online to anyone brave enough to put their real name to an opinion.