The problem I saw with what happened, was that this course was built around getting you to the point where your articles and you were ready to be submitted for consideration in publications. Clearly, if you are not writing for your audience, then you might as well quit the course.

Just because you think your article is great, does not mean that your editor, or your public will. You have to be able to sell your article at the end, and if no one buys it, you only have yourself to blame. The public is not as supportive or forgiving as your fellow workshoppers. This behaviour is definitely not appropriate for such a venue. I expect my work to get torn apart. Heck, I get torn apart all the time on my blog, or whatever I write that makes it online. I welcome this because each time I get the feedback, i learn to do something better. If people say nothing, I just keep doing what I’m doing, which may suck really badly. I’d never know. Like you said, I can dismiss or act on what is said to do much better. It is still up to me.

I can definitely see your point about your best work being inside you, and sometimes that is not nurtured by seeking the wisdom of others.

At the time a lot of folks found it hard to have such intense and particular criticism heaved at their work, but eventually, the folks who could take it, were able to separate themselves from their work, and realize that the criticism could be dismissed or, better yet, acted on, ended up becoming better designers.

Those who insulated themselves against what other people had to say might still have been talented but pigeon-holed themselves into styles or approaches that were familiar or within their known abilities.

Sadly, that kind of approach never affords the opportunity to prove to yourself what you alone are really capable of.