Okay, I'm going to jump back in. No one in this community wants to be babysat or feel that someone thinks they are babysitting them, especially by someone who finds it difficult to keep from patronizing people or calling them 'dums.' You wouldn't like it if people tried to do that to you. In fact, I am pretty sure you would reject it--And rightfully so. It's inappropriate behavior. Like Amy said, it's a great place to get to know people, exchange ideas and help each other out. It's not a place for a drawn out debate or argument--If you feel that one is necessary, it is easy to just side-message someone so that you and they can have the type of discussion that you want to have. But among the greater group of people? It's just not the place. I know I have not been on staff long, but I certainly wouldn't have been at all without the support of the chat. Being able to join it early on and get to know people on staff and other members gave me a good experience and made me want to become more involved.
It makes me upset to think that new people would walk in on arguments or criticism that, while constructive, isn't really the best to be shared publicly in front of a group of people. People don't have to take critical feedback in front of everyone if they haven't asked for it. I have run numerous critique groups and writers' conferences. All of the more in-depth critiques were done one-on-one because some people are not prepared to be given the level of criticism that you feel you can experience in public.
I was not there when the conversation/argument took place. Age and skill might not go hand in hand (because I do agree with you in that phrase--I believe that skill depends on experience, knowledge, and talent in applicable cases), but if you cannot treat people respectfully despite disagreements then you are the problem.
whatever, 
