Personally I go on being me. If a whale doesn't like it that is on them. I do me and don't worry about them. I have had disagreements with some at different points and I think it has to do more with approach then it does with criticism. I have even not seen eye to eye with Bernie and he has never flagged me over it because of my approach you can see things differently than others and not get flagged. It is all about how you come across. Is it come across as constructive or does it come across as I am dick? Sadly there have been many dicks out there so it has made people who do understand the difference too scared to speak up when they see something they see as wrong. I personally wouldn't worry about whales period. Don't worry about trying to get their votes or what they are doing. Work on building your own micro community to grow yourself into a whale so you can be the change you want to see on the site. The way to do that is bring people in. Btw these are just my opinions and random thoughts inspired by your post. I am not saying you have done or not done any of these things it just in general thoughts..