This protective layer of virtual armor shields the writer from direct contact. There is no handwriting to analyze, no tone of voice to monitor, no body language to interpret, no eye contact to maintain. There is not even a signature to lend a unique personal imprint. I regularly receive e-mail that gives me no clue as to the full name of the writer. It would not surprise me.
Virtual criticism is easy, fast, and safe.
The key issue, of course, is how to cope with the virtual critic. My first step is to discipline myself to read critical e-mail with an open mind. The person who has written actually believes he is obeying at least a quasi-biblical pattern of confrontation. There often is, even if the manner in which it barges into your world is a bit obnoxious. As I pondered the criticism, the realization struck that he was right.