I think it (assumption that friends are afraid) doesn't really apply to the majority of HN audience. We give and read criticism (constructive or not) every day

I think it (assumption that friends are afraid) doesn't really apply to the majority of HN audience. We give and read criticism (constructive or not) every day here, it's the second nature for us. However, we are a small group of people. The OP's post strongly applies to a more casual audience, who won't read this post.