I don’t know about your guy Paul Beakley (honestly he sounds like he was being an asshole) but a lot of times people like this have been socially brutalized in other settings for making creative contributions. And you are playing with strangers! It is always a risk, but more of a risk if you’ve been hurt before. I try to have some empathy and support them for even trying. it’s hard, though, because you have a whole table being drained.

I’ll also say for me personally, “dance, monkey, dance!” mechanics that demand ‘creative” input shut me right down. I hate them so much I’ll stop contributing. I don’t think zero phase quite reaches this level but it is a thing with me, and maybe with others too.