For this point...
Sincerely, I believe CS is like a small 江湖 (if translated to English, the closest I can think of is out in the open sea), where you will bump into all kinds of characters.
- Many are here for curiosity's sake and are simply looking.
- Many are truly here to seek advice and to learn.
- Many are here to share their experiences.
- A small number are simply here to vent their pent-up frustrations from their day-time working/daily lives by throwing their anger at all unsuspecting members, behind the veils of anonymity.
And the last category would be throwing fireballs at every opportunity.
I am sure amongst the CS-ers, there are younger and gentler ones who are just a tad more tender in their social experiences and these can be very much put off by such assaults.
I feel that CS is a good ground for all photographers, whatever your level.
And more importantly so, these tender members. As long as they are not arrogant and incorrigible in their behaviours and tone of words, and are truly sincere and humble in their approach, I believe they should be supported by the senior members of the forum.
Not exactly as in sheltered completely from the Molotov Cocktails, but to be patted on the shoulder as a gentle encouragement whenever they get hit as a target.
That is precisely how we would nurture our own children, isn't it?
You cannot just prevent them from going out on the street because there are gangster out there.
You just got to point the gangster out to them, and advise them not to go near them.
The best thing ever told to me as a young boy: "If they want to create trouble for you, it's never a stupid thing for you to bow your head and kept saying sorry sorry, and slowly back your way up..."
You end up as the winner.
My humble advice to all newbies here.