I doubt it's about downvotes. I think people want to be supportive, on the basis that making something mediocre is better than not making anything at all. I t

I doubt it's about downvotes. I think people want to be supportive, on the basis that making something mediocre is better than not making anything at all. I think the number of comments and upvotes is a good enough indicator - as you said, people who think it's stupid or (more likely) just don't care won't post anything. When asking for feedback it helps to be able to read between the lines - true excitement will show through, indifference will show as mainly technical advice (make your message clearer, move that to the left, a link is broken, etc.)