Not necessarily (not that I'm disagreeing with you, your post is quite accurate and my sentiments are with it). There are sometimes reprocussions. I for example have made some people upset to the point that I've been ignored as an artist by a scant few other artists here who otherwise pay attention and respond to anyone and everyone else and their art. Its like they actually go out of their way to avoid my art when they didn't use to do that before. Its as if their opinion suddenly changed because of things I've said which come and go just as this topic did. That IS a reprocussion of these sorts of situations when they don't go well (though this one is benign and not a good example of that).
So to say or imply that these types of situations are without risk isn't completely true all of the time, I should know as I experience them from time to time, here and there. (Note I'm not saying YOU are saying this, but in thinking about it, that is one way any number of people could take it).
Its not so much being ignored thats a bother, because I know they view my artwork anyways (I've even caught them doing it so that could imply they are either curious as to what I'm doing or actually do enjoy my work but are too proud to say so or give me kudos for a job well done because of said past frictions), its that they would not/will not get over the past or whatever from the past that motivates them to act that way toward me. Its that that is of some concern to me. The idea that someone could potentially be shunned indefinitely for any reason which sounded good at the time. That just makes things awkward in a way and adds to strained relations.
And I've noticed that about the artists here. They all have a really distant relationship and I don't see anyone else other than myself ever coming forward to speak in earnest about our relationships with one another. Not that its necessary, I'm just an open person when I'm in a cliche or group and I like sharing how I feel.
The more outspoken, direct, honest and blunt (people like me) tend to suffer the cold shoulder more than others for various reasons, mostly because some people end up feeling slighted in some way. Thats just part of how it is, and its perfectly acceptable as I and others are able to handle it. If we could not we could not function well online or off. Afterall, art is never really about just one person or a few anyways. Theres always more to it than what some think because art is, inevitably, bigger than any one person or group of people.
So...yes...there are times when there is a danger that people get upset and it causes unspoken friction. Fortunately time is on most of our sides and time supposedly heals all wounds. LOL 😛