New York Times culture reporter (and self-admitted “Lord of the Rings” geek) Jesse McKinley delves into a subject that’s been bothering me for some time now: the overuse of standing ovations. I have a simple rule for standing up during the applause portion of a show or concert. If I feel extremely emotionally moved by the performance or consider it an outstanding display of technical prowess, I stand up. These days it seems almost more of a statement to stay seated than to rise out of your seat. Audiences stand up as a matter of habit when they are pleased and happy. And maybe that’s as it should be, for the performers certainly work hard and enjoy the ovations no matter how common they have become. I suppose I can reserve screaming “BRAVO” for the moments I used to reserve for standing up. After all, peering at the curtain calls from between rows of backs is a fruitless activity. But I’d rather there was a return to the true value of the standing ovation and the high compliment it symbolizes.