Therefore, when reading these threads I'm shocked at the criticism and approbation. Some shots I believe to be beautiful, and they are chided. Others I believe to be rather dull and drab, yet they are praised.

I'm confused. What are some general things that make for a fine photo? Is it more than aesthetic beauty to you?

well its art and that is obv subjective and everyone has their own tastes
but mainly what we look for is the technical aspect; the right composition, framing, exposure etc

This. Not one of us here has the credibility or even ability to criticize, and while I agree that art is subjective, the reason we criticize the technical aspects is because people associate a 'pretty picture' with post processing. Apparently, black and white = instantly sexy. Vintage effects are 'cool' and 'modern,' even if the photo is dull and pretty much a piece of shit. Finally, WB that is innacurate is treated as artistry, instead of error. The purpose of a photo was originally to capture reality, but instead has become surreal in order to gain approval.

TLDR: Pretty photos = photoshopped, but are most often just pieces of shit.