I'm assuming this is mainly aimed towards the people over at Linden's, though some of it's comments can be applied elsewhere as well to some extend.

However, I doubt apologists are the bigger problem over critics, critics can offer up speculation as well, often very vocally (to the point where some companies decide the extra hasstle of managing a community on their own isn't worth it). Also, if anything I'd think apologists'd thrive on of overpromising ("no MMO is ever ready at release"), which often is a lot harder to refrain from if you're creating something you care for.

It's a thin line to walk, though you offer some compelling points to keeping your finger on the pulse of things.