Well, I agree that amateur enthusiasts support one another enthusiastically. And that could be seen as too much sometimes. But IMO you're not comparing like with like.

I'm sure you praise the kids at school for doing well when they write a really good story, but a Phd. student will expect a stricter assessment of their work than that a twelve year old might be expected to receive (I don't know what age you teach, I'm just trying to illustrate a point)

I like to cook, and if I host a dinner party I'd hope the guests won't be comparing my amateur offerings to something someone like Heston would conjure up. They'll be comparing what I cook, to what our mutual friends cook.

Same diff between a singaround filled with amateurs at your local boozer, and an album produced by a professional artist who might be headlining major festivals and be up for a national award or something.