Parts of this article have been republished from our comment on a TheDomains.com post.

Negative Comments Abound
Read an article recently in the blog of one of the domain industry’s true icons, Michael Berkens, that highlighted the negativity and mean-spirited reactions many of the leading personalities get, from within the domainer community, when they make a mistake or stumble publicly. This negativity comes from anonymous posters or prolific bloggers who seem to have an axe to grind that obviously comes from somewhere else. Can’t imagine the time and energy it takes to attack someone you most likely have only met in acticles you have read online. Don’t get the wrong impression. Some of our favorite domaining pastimes include: gloating, poking fun of, regret(my primary reaction), brash predictions, bold statements of facts(!?!) and general hyperbole, but you need to use your better judgement.

Tall Figures Make Easy Targets
Domaining is still a small community and there are very few pillars with the heft to be torn down. Those pillars are confronted with an inordinate amount of the criticism and vitriol from the masses, mainly because they have so few targets to aim at. Because of that, they take lumps many of us hacks deserve instead.

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutly
Let’s not forget though, that those same reasons also make their opinions and statements that much louder and hold that much more weigh among us well. When those same pillars make a statement, they come off as statements of fact (Hmm, maybe it is how they are presented to us minions? More humility might help) rather than opinions or advice. And who doesn’t like the whole David and Goliath story? Taking down or attacking a giant. Unfortunately that comes with great success in a growing dynamic industry.

Take It Inside, Leave it Pretty on the Outside
We should all have little appetite for negativity and be more interested in what the most successful domainers have to say because it is usually solid, sage advice needed to improve our own position and portfolio. There is too much growth to do before we can start to point fingers. We also need those voices to continue to be credible and sound for the sake of our fragile industry and egos. There are too many “haters” attacking us from outside the industry, for us to be doing it from within. There will always be room for dissenting voices and contrary opinions as long as those thoughts are based on solid fundamentals and well though out opinion. Picking apart a single statement or incident, just make you look petty.