"The reviewer is a singularly detested enemy because he is, unlike the hapless artist, invulnerable"

Carroll O'Connor's quote, "The customer is a singularly detested opponent due to the fact that he is, unlike the unlucky artist, invulnerable", encapsulates a long-standing tension in between developers and critics. This tension is rooted in the unbalanced dynamic of power and vulnerability that specifies their relationship.

Artists lay bare their innermost thoughts, feelings, and innovative expressions in their work. This process can be deeply personal and naturally vulnerable, involving a substantial psychological and intellectual investment. When artists release their creation into the world, they welcome examination, interpretation, and judgment. The 'unlucky' element O'Connor describes highlights the perceived defenselessness or vulnerability of artists in the face of criticism. Artists can feel exposed, as their work can be selected apart, praised, or dismissed by customers who frequently wield substantial influence over public understanding and reception.

On the other hand, reviewers run from a position of relative security and authority. Their function is to evaluate, review, and translate artistic works, providing assessments suggested to direct public opinion or boost understanding. Unlike artists, they do not expose themselves to the very same level of vulnerability in their reviews. Their words can impact an artist's credibility, affect the commercial success of a work, and shape cultural discourse. This power imbalance is at the heart of why they may be deemed 'singularly detested enemies.'

The 'invulnerability' of customers, as O'Connor recommends, lies in their capability to provide viewpoints from this protected position. They are often insulated from direct effects that artists deal with concerning their innovative output. Moreover, criticism-- even if fiercely disputed-- does not expose individual vulnerabilities in the very same way as creative production. Therefore, the quote underscores a fundamental irony and friction: the artists, who handle significant threat through exposure, are subject to judgments by those less exposed to such danger. This can cultivate feelings of bitterness or animosity, as the artists' psychological and imaginative vulnerabilities are laid bare for reviewers who deal with relatively little personal exposure.

In essence, O'Connor highlights the intricacy of the artist-critic dynamic, exposing both the vulnerability fundamental in artistic development and the viewed invulnerability related to the act of criticism. This quote welcomes reflection on the more comprehensive discourse in between creation and review, highlighting the often-contentious interplay in between these functions.