If you only look at what you are looking at, you'll get discouraged. I've had a few items on sites that got completely destroyed in the comment sections, but a

If you only look at what you are looking at, you'll get discouraged. I've had a few items on sites that got completely destroyed in the comment sections, but a month later, I still have several visitors from those sites on those same articles, and many of them are returning visitors. So, while your initial analysis is correct, I think you will find the long-term surprising. The finding is that despite all the negative comments, the vast majority of the readers actually do like it, but they aren't going to speak up against the maelstrom.