That's not what the OP is really talking about though, as what you've described is fair and constructive :)
People gossip. I'm not in the Valley myself, but friends are, and from what I've been told the OPs description of behind-the-back unconstructive negativity... Well, I think that's a bad way of helping each other.
To put it simply: I think we need to be a little more sensitive. That doesn't mean we can't be critical, but if you temper that with some empathy, you'll often get better results, in my experience.
People gossip. I'm not in the Valley myself, but friends are, and from what I've been told the OPs description of behind-the-back unconstructive negativity... Well, I think that's a bad way of helping each other.
To put it simply: I think we need to be a little more sensitive. That doesn't mean we can't be critical, but if you temper that with some empathy, you'll often get better results, in my experience.