So earlier today I stumbled across a post via twitter called "I've got to say this. The UK web design scene is often just self serving, indulgent bullshit perptuated by friends of friends...."
The long and short of it is that the author is sick of the back patting and general groupiness among designers / web peeps in our industry.
Let us all be honest, it's not something new and we see it quite often on blogs or twitter alike. How many times have you seen rave reviews of a design which truly sucks?
This is one of the reasons that Best Web Gallery is my favourite CSS site. The peeps who comment on there pull no punches, if they think it sucks they tell you. It's also the same reason why I enjoy the mad man Loren Feldman, he calls a spade a spade no matter who you are.
However in general the majority of comments you read on websites or on twitter are along the lines of "WOW". Some people see this as cliquey etc but don't forget the silent voices out there.
Generally it's only the groupies who take the time to comment on such things. The naysayers probably don't have the time to be bothered or can't put their negative reviews into words (I can be the latter quite often).
Despite all this people need to realize that this clique-like behavior is nothing new and exists in all walks of life. I distinctly remember, while in the motor sport circles, how some people who achieved good things got a ton more praise even when their performances were well below par.
I call it being star struck. The groupies and so called 'experts' tend to hype up some of the most dodgiest stuff you have ever seen.
In my opinion this is one tide which you will never turn. I say you accept it (up to a point) and embrace the reality. From what I have learned it's always been about who you know and not what you know...
It's called life.
Have Your Say