Recently I worked on a proposal for a client that I really put everything I had into. The other day I presented it and man I was ready and I g nailed. At least that's what I thought. Half the room loved it and the other half picked it apart like I came up with it the night before drunk at the airport bar instead of the 5 weeks (not counting personal time) that I actually put into it. So while on one hand it was awesome on the other it was a huge kick in the stones. Tonight I was watching Obsidian's "Office Visit" video on YouTube and it made me think about all those guys and gals in the "Frontier Trenches" and what they must feel like after an update. Keep your heads up. The fact you're creating something that stirs the emotions of thousands the way Elite Dangerous does means you're onto something really special.
I haven't really had experiences like that with my work, because when criticism has to be delivered in person, people tend to be constructive and cautious with their wording. I think this goes back to primal days where saying the wrong thing to someone could get you a club over your head.
"You say what Ig? I smash you in da face!"
So while we are unlikely to brain a colleague in a work scenario, we maintain a certain level of civility and respect for the efforts of others.
Enter the internet, where everyone can have a voice with zero consequences for what they say or how they deliver ciriticism.
And that is why on every gaming forum, there are always those who think it is their god given right to hurl whatever abuse they want at hard working people.
This is why i've long advocated for all internet enabled devices to have boxing gloves installed on a spring. If anyone acts like a complete jerk on the net, anyone can send a signal to activate the release of the boxing glove. Sure, initially there would be a lot of people walking around with black eyes, but over time most would learn. Only the diehard jerks would continuously have black eyes.
In short, people are jerks when they don't have to face consequences. Also violence can sometimes be the answer.
