> If people get swayed away from an entire profession because of a few words, how can they have the mental capacity for constructive criticism?

First, you probably mean emotional capacity.

Second, very easily, especially if they have other lucrative and rewarding alternatives, which people with the mental capacity for software development probably do.

Having the capacity to deal with necessary unpleasantness to improve one’s quality of work doesn’t imply the lack of self-respect necessary to voluntary put up with completely unnecessary unpleasantness just to work in one of the very many fields one has the facilities to successfully perform in.

But thanks for bringing out the classic hazing defense.