JonI think I also want to take you to task for your cynicism, though I don't really mean it personally.
I took part in that thread and I have no real idea who the hell Jean Ritchie / Kytrad is except for seeing her around the Mudcat. Though, as part of that thread, I did come to know much more about her.
If you want to know how some of the people contributing to that thread have contributed to others, you only have to click their FROM: entry in the top left of their contribution. It's something I often do, especially when I get annoyed by something someone has said. It can often be a humbling experience and has certainly helped me to cope with things that have occasionally got to me.
Cheers!
Ian