Afraid.
And yet people still rehash the fantasy of this idyllic thing.
I dunno. I mean anyone either signed up or lurking then never considered it tame that I remember. Most of the old timers were old Usenet people that were flamewar champions. Not merely veterans but CHAMPIONS forged in the most out of control ‘forums’ to be found.
This place was a barely controlled zoo at times... Perhaps the memories were blotted out for their trauma ;)