Mmmm interesting, it is indeed a very fine line. I do see your point about people giving unsolicited critiques that stifle art! but here on steemit (just like all social network) everything is not asked for. You share yourself online and open yourself to everyone!
The only difference here is one can not delete comments because of the no censorship creation. Everything is so subjective to perspective, so it is indeed hard to say what is and isn't abuse. What you could find as abuse, I could find mild and Vice-versa!
That is true, it is easier for some to stop and say something negative than positive! because of the trigger effect. I also agree that if you say stop or mute me and they persist then that is definitely harassment and deserves a flag.
Yes I am for uncensorship too and the NSFW tag. We are indeed lucky the dev team added the NSFW filter so fast, otherwise there would still be wars everywhere!
Yes, I understand that the criticism is not helpful but that is a part of life. Unless we put filters on everything like many of the social networks do (censorship), then it is inevitable to encounter these things at one point or another; All we can do is handle them to the best of our ability like you have done.
It is fortunate that the NSFW will stop most of these criticisms from happening. But others do not have filter to protect their art. true they may experience less criticism but they will experience it and will have no filters to protect them. So they must deal with it like all of us have to.
The reason I say all this is because I feel the flag is already to easy of a system to create censorship of what is and is not like by a select group of people. For me and you with low SP, it is not a big deal . Yet for those who have a large amount of SP the power of the flag could easily corrupt, especially if the conspire with others with high SP.
I respect your opinion too, that is why I appreciate your comment; To give me a new perspective on this subject.
Yes, I know you can't since steemit does not allow that! I agree about asking them to mute you. Glad we can converse in a way that we can express our ideas and opinions. I still believe the flag is overused but that is just how I feel. Keep on expressing yourself through your creations, don't be discouraged by others.