I totally agree David, but it is hard sometimes not to get distracted by the ranks. That said, I believe feedback is important to every author, good or bad. That's why I try and review as many stories as my time allows.
I never fully appreciated just how valuable it was until I started writing myself, and at the start it was frustrating. It does seem to have picked up quite a bit of momentum, which in turn gives me that extra motivation to write more.
I do love writing, it gives me an outlet for my overactive imagination. But it's also nice to know that people are enjoying reading my work, as much as I enjoy writing it.