Boy, I'm not sure if I'm happy or aggrivated I never really look much at this thread.  I think I'm the better though, for not looking!

To those leaving, if I dont take you off my list and still comment, hope you arent offended.  To be honest now the work of itemizing both lists finding who wants off, who's now on, so on so fourth sounds to me like a JOB now.  

Here's my philosophy, it hasn't changed.

I upload something, people who have the time, or load up the image and have a gander and like, or dislike something comment, great!  Others either have nothing to say, dont have the time, or glance at it and say nothing, also fine with me.   

I have yet to get a single irreprehensible critique even if its just "I dont like the background color"..... that neither wounds or offends me, I move on to the next comment.  I take it for what it is, personal opinion.

I now avoid the gallery view as a whole and just check my mail.  There's loads, but okay.  As the day goes by, I look at one or two down the list, or if i get an hour of time I'm doing nothing in particular except eating my breakfast, I open them all.

I LOOK at every picture thats loaded, no matter the artist, or date of load.  I'll eventually look at them all.

If an image is not my taste, something I just dont find appealing for whatever reason on first view, I DO NOT COMMENT AT ALL.  The only exception to this is say, a headshot (I normally wont comment on just a headshot), if the artist writes in their thingy there they want an opinion on a texture or something, that i can do.  But in general, for another example, if its a bloody gory image..... or a blatant nude vickie shot with nothing else going on, I leave it alone.

Why?  Because i know before I even type, my opinion is TAINTED by personal opinion.  I know every word typed out by me would be clouded with say "Eghads..... do we really need to see her holding her crotch?".  Just because personally I dont like the item persea doesnt mean it has no artistic merritt.  It could be flawless but my mind says outright "I dont like it".  So I move on to what I DO like.

If i feel compelled to leave an opinion I do so only if i have the time and motivation to actually look at it.  really LOOK at it.  I may note a color is "off putting" or something....... or a detail missing (or i think its missing), though thats opinion I try to keep it on the spectrum of what adds or detracts from the image.

To be honest, this experience has changed me.  I critique everyone, even those not on the critique list.  I will never hold my tongue again when i see something "off" .....  i praise the good parts, and interject anything (if there is something) I can help with or think I could help with.  Its the way it should be.

I am sad to see people leave, but to be honest, their still on my lists and will probably stay there, unless they truly dont like me commenting..... then I'll go away :)