I agree with much of what you said - there is significant value in negative feedback. But here is where I disagree: >... but it hardly contributes anything of

I agree with much of what you said - there is significant value in negative feedback. But here is where I disagree: >... but it hardly contributes anything of value to anyone... >... every valuable feedback is a kind of criticism... Valuable feedback includes positive as well as negative. Negative is actionable feedback, but positive has just as much value in a different way. Most people are aware that their own perceptions, thoughts, and ideas may be flawed. Negative feedback points out those flaws and should always be accepted. Positive feedback says that in spite of the flaws, there is something fundamentally worthwhile there. And while upvotes can certainly serve as a form of positive feedback, words are even better. I'm not suggesting that we should all post meaningless words of encouragement to everything that comes along. But if you're impressed by something you see, saying so only helps.