Perceptions are funny things-especially when it comes to senses. What I see, taste, smell or hear can be very different than someone else. I've come to appreciate how vastly different peoples perceptions of things can be when it comes to brewing. I taste diacetyl at seemingly low levels. My buddy , well not so much. I say it's there and it is not appealing and down right repulsive to me. To him, seems it takes a diacetyl bomb (my perception) before he picks it up. Ultimately, he says he doesn't perceive it, and I say I do- neither is wrong.
Pick your process- decoction, step mashing, shaken vs stir plate, fast ferment vs traditional lager method...the list goes on and on. For me, someones perceptions about something are both fascinating and interesting. They don't necessarily persuade or dissuade me from trying it to see what I perceive-especially if their perceptions are things that I feel might be desirable in my finished product. Exercising restraint in these situations is important IMO- if someone perceives something [or not], and doesn't make all encompassing definitive statements like, "its the only way to make great beer", or "if you don't do it your beer is subpar" or "I've done it and it doesn't make a difference", then that's ok in my book. I say keep doing what you perceive improves your beer or results in something different that you like better.
There are facts, and then there are perceptions...and the latter belongs to the sensory perceptions of the beholder, and is in fact their reality.