Nah, fam. It's not about "taking" criticism. It's about the fact that unless a writer asks for it specifically, it's a dick thing to do on a website that is rooted in community.
If a writer wants critique they will ask trusted friends or professional associates (in the relevant field). When a writer shares a fic on AO3 it's not necessarily with the aim of improving their craft (there are better places for that). It's about sharing joy.
Positive comments enhance that feeling of joy and community. Negative comments do not.
Fic isn't a product to be evaluated. If it's not for you, then you can just walk away. 😁
I'm so tired of this discussion - why do all these people think they're entitled to offer critique on a fic author's work?
When you get a hand-made gift from someone, do you verbally rip it apart in front of them and point out every flaw or perceived flaw you can find? Congratulations, that person will never put the time, love and effort into making anything for you again, and they may question themselves so much they won't ever make anything for anyone else again, either. Well done, you've now deprived a whole community of art and an artist of their source of joy because you're an ungrateful walnut who can't say 'Thank you' and appreciate what you got for free.
Your opinion is not universal. Your tastes are not universal. Your preferred style is not universal. Authors can write whatever the fuck they want and unless you specifically commissioned a fic, you get no say in it.
Tl;dnr: If you don't like a fic or piece of art, hit the back button and keep your mouth shut. If you didn't like something, it likely wasn't meant for you and your 'criticism' is not wanted or helpful. Fandom is about community and lifting each other up, not about you shitting all over another person's work because you think your opinion matters.
THIS FOREVER.
Fanfiction is a gift given, it's not a product you purchased at a shopping center. It's a gift. It's a gift crafted with joy. If you come along and piss on someone's joy don't be surprised when people rise in defense of the creator and bar the door to you in the form of deleted comments. I always delete cruel comments and I write for a living. My fanfiction is for happiness.
You. Don't. Get. An opinion. On my. Happiness.
