All of human variety is there, almost, on Flickr, and you have to be aware of what comes and try to avoid much of it. Just mark and linger with what you like - and some of that's resonant and often inspiring.
Most groups seem to be very loosely if at all moderated (understandable - think of the time commitment) and it did cross my mind lately to give up the few I'm a member of, and yet ...
Yes there is a tendency for comments on pictures to be anodyne, however it does feel good to express appreciation for someone's work that you like (a just return). The delicacy is that if you made a remark that was valid and reasonable to you but could be seen as negative by the total stranger who had made the work, hurt might ensue.
Things tend to happen quickly - people glance, and move on. There are kneejerk responses - you fave someone's photo both to mark it and to publicise your liking and they fave one of yours back - as often as not the most recent one you've posted.
Despite any quibbles, I see Flickr as a vital place to discover the raw talent of others - I don't want to see work that's worse than mine, I want to see work that's better, and there's lots! It's like food! Not to try to copy, but as a direct form of sustenance.
