i must admit, i don't find it annoying at all. if i don't have time to comment on things i get emailed, i certainly don't have time to go, "oh hey, why don't i look through the critique gallery."  but there is an answer already in effect: the art theory forum.  i don't see much difference between posting to a gallery (say poser/fantasy) and then also posting a link in a forum and tagging a picture with poser and critique and fantasy.  i'd say if that's not working, then it's because the passive, non-broadcast way works less well for busy schedules.  

besides, it's not the ebots that people are complaining about (or it hasn't been).  it's the fact that they feel obligated to respond in kind once they get lots of critiques.  my understanding (which could be wrong, i realize) isn't that they feel pressured by the ebots, but by the fact that  others might expect them to comment on their work.    frankly, that's how this site usually works, without the critique part.  i can only say, no, there are no obligations.  if you only have time to make one or two comments a month and half to pass on all the others, go right ahead.

and i encourage everyone to use the art theory forum if the gallery subscription model doesn't fit their needs and wants.

Ladonna - having read the critique (sorry i hadn't looked at your work yet), i'd say there's possibly some miscommunication here? in my opinion, it's pretty valid to talk about character and meaning, and that's what i understood the comment to address.  that is, if i call someone a valkyrie and put them in a bikini on a beach, if i don't have some sort of obvious punchline, it seems out of place and inappropriate.  i think the comment was trying to address not a personal opinion about the pose, but how well it depicted the character you were claiming to depict.  i'm not saying such things aren't open to debate, but i don't think the message you should take from the comment is "bad pose,"  or akin to "i don't like that color."  it's more "that pose and style isn't appropriate for that character."  that's a debatable point, and has been debated for practically ever character from gilgamesh to robin hood to she-hulk, but i don't think any offense or control of your art work was intended.