Why should I interpret their mockery as legitimate criticism?
Because it’s the useful way of interpreting it? Other ways are less useful. If you succeed, there is something to learn. If you don’t try, there is nothing to learn. The problem is not impossibility of this step, but in it not being a good use of effort.
Fair enough. If I were to pay attention to them, that is probably what I would do. Fortunately I do not have to pay attention to them, so I can take their mockery at face value and condemn it for being mockery.
Because it’s the useful way of interpreting it? Other ways are less useful. If you succeed, there is something to learn. If you don’t try, there is nothing to learn. The problem is not impossibility of this step, but in it not being a good use of effort.
Fair enough. If I were to pay attention to them, that is probably what I would do. Fortunately I do not have to pay attention to them, so I can take their mockery at face value and condemn it for being mockery.