In cartography, there are a few perfervid professionals who decry all newcomers with what amounts to public shaming of their “woefully” inadequate understanding of geography, design, projections, and the pronunciation of choropleth. I’m not exactly a saint in this arena, as I’ve done my share of critiques on this blog and elsewhere.
However, when a critique becomes more about the critic’s ego and less and less about bettering the cartography, we cross the line. And it should go without saying that a critique that is aimed at the mapper rather than the map is unproductive and unprofessional.
Critics, too, must always remain humble. Remember, what appears today like a map mess might* be looked at tomorrow as de rigueur.
*I said “might”! Certainly most map messes will remain messes in perpetuity. 
#1 by anon on July 15, 2013 - 5:11 pm
Sure, there’s always the jerks who look down their noses at the rest of us mere mortals. but by and large my org appreciates pretty much any maps I make since they can’t seem to make decisions any other way (and mine aren’t that good.)