i think the reason ppl do not say it out loud even when it is a primary reason is bcz they feel it makes them vulnerable: it's a bit naked, a bit predatory even

however i think the reason ppl tell themselves they are not saying it out loud is bcz it is "not valid as a useful area of critical discussion" -- i imagine the story behind this wd be some kind of "subjective is trumped by objective" argt (obv if the discussion was HOTTNESS it wd be no problem, but if the issue is say "is [x] a good singer?"

i am not defending this assumption of invalidity -- and don't share it -- but i think it is floating around out there as a spur to expression (or rather a block on it)