I don't think every feeling needs to be validated and every point-of-view appreciated. Just because a person has a right to express something doesn't mean that others are obligated to praise them for it or even read it. And sometimes people need to hear criticism, however harsh. Harshness is just of those things you have to be prepared for if you create a thread.

But the audience has to take responsibility, too. If you know a poster is always going to push your buttons, it doesn't make sense to put yourself in their presence...unless you really want to be provoked. Sometimes people think they can convince someone they are wrong by browbeating them long enough, but I don't think this really ever works. Not for people who are really clueless. So working yourself up in a frenzy ends up not doing very much in the end. As long as a person is aware that they are allowing themselves to be provoked for naught, then no, they shouldn't censor themselves by using the "ignore" function. Sometimes going toe-to-toe with an internet troll is fun.