LOL Ouch! That sounds like the Marine bootcamp technique. At least there, they can say they're dealing with life and death to justify it.

*"... and not get so insulted when someone tells them it's crap. It's not a personal attack, it's just an observation and encouragement to do better next time." *

Actually, if that's the limit of their criticism skills, then I'd say they're as bereft of talent as their target. Some people may indeed believe from their own experience that such is the best way to help others develop but IMO, some people are just asses who get off on skewering others. That doesn't mean they may not have teaching skills but I certainly don't think that the two combined are a requirement for teaching or critical excellence. I'm not against giving someone a kick on occasion but I'm afraid that I'm more Mr. Rogers than Parris Island DI. Having the discernment to know when to apply either technique and leaning toward the former sounds better to me. I'm not sure that the DI technique hasn't ruined more talent than it's nurtured but I have no way of knowing. At any rate, I'd be leery of trying it these days. In the past, getting even meant egging the guy's car. Today, they're liable to bring in an AK and throw down on you.

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken