Originally Posted by glbetrotter

But this is an MO of many on this board! The art of civil discussion and debate is rapidly disappearing in our society, and its tiny slice represented here is a great example of what is going on in the society at large. Accusations and insults, and even thinly veiled profanity fly within a post or two. The general perception on this board is that anyone who complains is automatically wrong, a DYKWIA type. It is especially surprising given that many (most?) on this board are well educated, well traveled people who know basic etiquette and manners -- and yet here they behave as bullies. Compensating for something?

One does not need to be a mental health professional to see that for some this must be an outlet for their unresolved frustrations in life. A friend, a top notch psychiatrist, got so interested in this phenomenon that he started building a profile of several particularly intereting posters. It will be a fascinating research report to read if it ever materializes -- and there are no patient confidentiality concerns either, everything is anonymous from the get go. The trends are so brilliant though! Wouldn't it make a fabulous case study for the Journal of Mental Health? Would love to read it, even though it is not my field at all.