[sidstling]

If you’re so afraid of rejection that you’re willing to postpone something, then a few overtly negative responses can certainly dissuade you from trying again.

The author in the article was talking about the reaction of friends, so we can’t say whether or not random internet comments would have meant something to the author, but they certainly do to some people.

I think it’s a valuable skill to be able to save your criticism for when it really matters to you, and then to deliver it in a thoughtful manner. Even if you’re anonymous on the internet. A good rule, for me, especially on the internet is to ask myself what I hope to achieve from someone reading what I post. In that context I certainly hope you’d never write “Is this real? [...] This is dumb and useless.".