Cody, you bring up very good points.
We discussed this subject many years ago here, and some good points were made then, and I will reiterate a few of them.
Tom Curran eloquently suggested that everyone who builds and presents their work here, whether for just show and tell, or for critique, should be honoured for their effort and courage, to not only take on the work but to take it to completion and for the courage to post it here for the world to view.
Don Getz agreed, but was quick to point out that giving praise where it was inappropriate was not doing the builder a useful service. He said that most folks who comment are just giving 'atatboys', and while everyone likes positive feedback, truthful critique is far more valuable, not only to the poster, but to everyone else who view the thread. Don was good at giving gentle sound critique that if acted upon, would benefit the builder.
For the most part, people who post images of their work here get thorough postitive feedback, at times gushy and extravagant. And if that is all they take away from their posting, it is easy to see how a builder could come away with a swollen head (ego), and might even price their work to reflect this unrealistic praise.
Fortunately for us subscribers to ALR, there are frequent examples of really superlative gun building, work that continually raises the bar and inspires the rest of us to strive for perfection by improving our own work. There is a wide range of ability, experience, and perception here. There are some who can see nuances in form and architecture and in execution, that is missed by many others. Most folks can look over a piece and understand that it has great merit, but cannot tell you or show you where and why. Thus it will be impossible for those folks to utilize what they have missed or incorporate it into their own work. Yet we all move along at our own pace, studying and learning as we go. Or not.
I am reminded of a poem called "Desiderata" (if I spelled it correctly). It is great philosophy and something to which to aspire.