What is this I don't even...

[Abriael]

Oh, the feels! The fact that he threatens to close all comments after he invited people to post their counter-feedback to the article...what did he expect? Flowers and daisies?

As for the email, I cannot condone behavior like that, but I'm surprised she didn't get more, yet he calls it a "learning experience". This says to me how poorly they're able to handle negative criticism. Heads up Ben, time to get off your high-horse.

His response is indeed rather appalling. While I can't condone sending rude mails to people, I'm sure a bit surprised he's not used to it. I sure am. That's what the trash can is for (after giving em a good read, because even a rude mail can involve a degree of valid criticism, you never know).
When you write under the spotlight, receiving angry mail and negative feedback is part of the job. An unpleasant part, but indeed an integral part.

The many level headed and calm comments on his site and here prove him wrong first and foremost, showing that those that acted rashly are a vast minority. Yet he's very fast as to call a whole community a "rat's nest" and "trolls", because quite obviously everyone that dares pay him with the same coin that he's very liberal with in his writing must be a troll.

Luckily and quite evidently "having a negative opinion" does not equate to being a "Troll", and calling people "trolls" and "fanboys" or pointing out that they come from this or that forum is simply a nice and convenient excuse to avoid admitting that their criticism may be valid.

He's had a "learning experience", but unfortunately he learned exactly the opposite of what he should have. Sad indeed.