Just because these people were once ordinary, it does not mean they are still grounded in reality. I also think it's very easy for people to dismiss criticism

Just because these people were once ordinary, it does not mean they are still grounded in reality. I also think it's very easy for people to dismiss criticism as people being haters. For example, you mention Austen Allred. He has been getting flak on HN and elsewhere from both random people and Lambda school students. To me (And seemingly some other people), he seems a bit detached from reality and based on his few interactions it seems like he either doesn't care or likely dismisses the criticism as people being haters. > With this in mind, perhaps the key to benefiting from more people's creative energy is to dial down the hate and be more encouraging towards anyone who is attempting to make a valuable difference The issue I see here is people lauding their vision in the face of criticism, effectively saying "you just don't get it" and labelling the people who criticize them as haters. Personally, the only way I become a "hater" is when someone does what I just described. Laud their idea as the next coming of christ and basically refuse to interact with any criticism.