Quote - Yes, Stonemason posts and writes tutorials at places like CGTalk.

True, but Stonemason's posts and tutorial's revolve around applications other than Poser, most of them "high end". Stonemason isn't extolling the virtues of Poser, merely sharing his creative skill and craft.

Quote - But, realize that age plays a factor in how crit is given.  A 17-year-old isn't going to be as tactful as a 35-year-old, just based on life experience (although there are adults out there that could take lessons from some of the teens know, lol).

Trust me, there are some pretty tactless 35 year olds and older, as well.

Quote - I don't understand why there always has to be an "us vs. them" attitude, on ANY level.  CG on the whole is a very disrespected media at the moment.  Yet, purists, hobbiests, professionals, and students rip each other to shreds, simply because they can.

It's called "dfferent strokes for different folks". We even have that "us vs them" attitude here, among each other. Try starting a discusssion on nudity and watch how fast you get chastised for "beating a dead horse" let alone all the pro and con comments and accusations of "puritan" and "pornographer". We have Brycer's that can't stand Poser, anti-postwork Purists, Fae lover's viewed as pedophiles, and the list goes on. I've even had some of my work called gore porn, (which after some consideration, I'm kind of proud of). There will be closed-minded people where ever you go. It permeates everything, politics, religion, food, education, and yes...even art.
I am of the opinion, based on observation and experience, that most of the "so-called artists" that put down other peoples work are really artist wanna-be's that thrive on false bravado and suck up coment's and have rarely been given a true opinion of their own work. Some see themselves as master's of their tools, but rarely see the dull sameness of everything they produce because their ego's get in the way.

The best thing we can do is encourage those that deserve it, be honest to those that can take it, and grow a thicker skin and move on.

It's all fun and games...
Until the flying monkeys attack!!!