Why do people on SW feel the need to critique or criticize questions?

Aristotle said that the mark of an educated man was the ability to entertain a thought without accepting it.

The scholastic tradition is based on just that. Defending and attacking both sides of an argument.

People are also in different places as they work through their convictions. Just trying an idea or belief on. Struggling with it. Resolving doubts.

What I see on line is a tendency to presume that everyone who presents an idea, asks a question, poses a theory-- is totally 100% committed and certain in their beliefs. And people go after them with corresponding vigor.

I get that. Trolls.

But at the same time it really makes internet dialog a drag sometimes.

If you post something in a public place then you invite comment...not all of it will be to your liking especially if you ask for others opinions.

The other interesting phenomenon:

Some Prick: So, what are your feelings about {fill in the blank}?
Some Poor Bastard: [i]my feelings[/i]
Some Prick: [i]tortures you for it[/i]

Well we cannot read minds. Post a question get an answer and you might not like them all, however being mean just to be an ass is of major irritation to me.

Why does criticism have to be seen as negative? Can it not be constructive if the other isn't overly defensive and holding on to their beliefs? If your views are closed and therefore limited cause more damage to the individual holding on to their beliefs? Is a fresh perspective not beneficial in expanding it?

Some people can't stop the criticism. It's true in real life, too. I avoid those kind of people in life and I ignore them on here.

I tend to criticise questions when they are grammatically incorrect. I don't do it to "get off on it" I do it out of natural instinct. When I see a flaw in something, my natural instinct is to correct it. What is so wrong with that?

because we're trolls

It makes them feel better about themselves to put other people down.