Regarding point 1, essentially yes unless they are writing anonymously, everyone on some level is attempting to leverage a person with name recognition for expo

Regarding point 1, essentially yes unless they are writing anonymously, everyone on some level is attempting to leverage a person with name recognition for exposure. They may have altruistic intent but if no one knows who you are then without exposure your message is lost. Regarding point 2 everyone assumes intent from what they read, it's human nature. People simply disagree with what they assume. You are assuming why people you have never met are downvoting OP. We all do it.