LOL, DarkElegance, like the way you approach the subject in this way :) However, it seems to me that you must be relatively new here. Let me explain: Once things WERE different, people could give pointers to each other and receive them. Most of time this was done in a civil manner and it was very helpful to see what could be improved. There were also those whose work stood out more, they would get the occassional comment on improving some minor point but there was also a general consensus as to who were the "best". Then, someone got it into their head to play a mean, nasty trick on them. A troll by the name of Zooh went on a rampage through the Top images and lowered everybody's score who had a perfect rating to make some sort of statement - one which he tried to express in pseudo-broken English (Yes, being an English teacher I can tell when someone is not a native speaker and honestly makes mistakes and when it's feigned!) Needless to say people got upset, egos were shattered and and some even took down their galleries. Zooh disappeared after a very short while but the damage he caused is manifested in what you so aptly see in the galleries now. And it's not just "friends". I almost never get any comments suggesting improvements and can assure you the people posting are for the most part unknown to me. It's a "stepping on eggshells" mentality and no one wants to be accused of being jealous or spiteful. It's also very difficult for someone without a gallery here to be heard when they remark on some aspect of technique or aesthetics. "And where is YOUR art?", was the response she/he would most often get :) In addition, the fact that Rosity has quadrupled in membership also makes people more hesitant - it's not the cosy little community it once was with everyone freely chiming in - I know I've become more of a lurker (hey, you get some credit for bringing me out today!)