A bit of a conversation with myself

[shemthepenman]

It definitely matters what other people say. No one is posting on the critique forums because they don't care what people say. 

You started out so well -- anyone who posts on a critique forum and then says they don't care what other people say is either entirely devoid of intelligence or a flaming hypocrite.

And then you go on to say this...

Most want positive feedback as well. People object to harsh negative feedback, they take it personally (I'm guilty).... People need to be loved.

What a load of steaming horseturds.

Meh. Not many people want to be told their poetry is shit

i agree. i think it is entirely reasonable to assume, if not most, a significant number of people desire positive feedback. and i've seen enough negative critiques being taken personally to justify thinking that.
i suppose what we're looking for is some causal connection between the expectations, reasons for writing, etc. and the quality of poetry. i don't think you'll find any. i don't think someone who writes wanting positive feedback [even if that is their sole purpose] will necessarily write bad poetry. in fact, i think someone who says "i write for myself" will be more inclined to write poor poetry than the fellow who's doing it to get his dick sucked. . . i mean, he's got a lot more invested in writing something good.