It doesn't take long to see that there is a range of views about helpful comments. Every image has this attached to it: "Your helpful comments for improving this image:" but comments are seldom used to help. Look at this place like it is a classroom for an art class. What would the class be like if there was no discussion about art, or no questions or answers? What if every question and answer was done privately so that no one else could learn from them? What if we all just sat around told each other how great we are? A class like that would be ineffective, but at least everyone would like each other. I have yet to see a malicious helpful comment (I have heard of one and the commenter was fired). Everyone who has been willing to offer helpful comments has been kind and gentle.