Seperating beginners from the rest.

[Maneko]

Yes, but that would also make them feel less "threatened" by the superior works of the more experienced members.
By personal experience, I can say that newcomers tends to get more defensive and tend to make more excuses when they feel the pressure of being compared with someone better than them.

For example: years ago, a guy said this gem that even today is remembered: "Shut up, I'm awesome period. I'm not the problem, your standards are too high and if you lowered them a bit you would like my sprites a lot. Elitists!"
Because you know, anyone who can do good stuff and refuses to praise awful spriters is automatically an elitist AND the responsible for the newcomer's defects.

I still can see your point, though.