If someone doesn't like what you have to say online, chances are they wouldn't like to know you in person either, which is fine.

The reason you post online is so that you can reach people who do appreciate what you have to say and might not otherwise have met.

The benefits of connecting with those people far outweighs the downsides of being judged by critics.

At least, that’s been my experience.

Letting geography dictate the network you build for yourself in this day and age is foolish.