This thread itself is "provoking".
Why don't we ALL imagine that the insulating distance and protective anonymity DOES NOT EXIST.
Imagine that we are holding a glass of wine at an Artists reception, and talking bout her/his work ... or that we are sitting at a table schmoozing over cups of coffee (tea, if you prefer).
Much of the vitriolic rhetoric here would simply "not fit". I'm SURE that the last thing anyone would want would be would be to either insult or hurt the person we are talking with; and we would not want to risk a terrible shouting match or emotional "scene". Yet, here on APUG ... we - correct that - some of us - seem to throw all civility to the winds, and claim that we are only being "courageous", when hiding behind distance and anonymity is really the apex of cowardice.
Gang, sacrifice the sport of insulting and demeaning others with the intent of deriving great pleasure from seeing him/her "dancing on a string", trying desperately to salvage a little of his/her self image.
We are all ... or at least we all SHOULD be - passionate about our work. It is incomprehensible to me that we should allow it to be attacked, or that we should allow ourselves to be attacked, and NOT react.
Yeah, yeah ... "We are only being honest." This is an example directed to me through personal e-mail - from my Netscape address - not APUG PM:
He Who Will Be Anonymous: Why did you remove all your color work from the Critique Gallery - I have not seen it.
Ed Sukach: I have my reasons (Not relevant here).
HWWBA: But I need to comment about them! You are a COWARD for removing them.
ES: As you will. I have the RIGHT to remove them - for any reason.
HWWBA: They are BAD photographs. You are a hopelessly BAD photographer. Why don't you consider giving up photography altogether? (Note 1)
ES: How can you say that my work is "Bad"? (ignoring what he claimed was not a personal attack) - When you haven't seen my work? Huh? How can you?
HWWBA: Well, those weren't my words... I'm only repeating the consensus here.
If this was "face to face", I'd probably burst out laughing. With the distance insulation ... I can only be silent, not wanting to add fuel to this.
What about it, gang? ... is anyone able to think of the next line in this witty repartee?
I did what I would do in an uninsulated social situation ... mumble something about "Interesting Opinion" (which translates to ... no, I won't write it ...) and walk away.
Why don't we do the same here, when encountering some of this inflammatory beef by-product?
Note 1: No, I'm not exaggerating. Edited only for brevity. Actual words.
This is supposed to be constructive criticism? When do we see an example of "destructive"?
). 
