I’m guilty but I also remember different behavior years ago. All I can offer is that we are living in times that really do try men’s souls. The krinton years almost seem idyllic in retrospect. There are days when swearing just doesn’t cover it - and swearing was invented to convey things that polite speech just doesn’t cover. You are right, though, we should try harder to maintain a higher level of discourse and I will work harder at that ideal.
That said, years ago there were absolutely titanic flame wars, too. Invective and insults were rife and posters actually burst into flame and exited FR in spectacular opuses (opii?). Anger and humiliation were part of the trade with some posters. Some things are better today, too.
Just my $0.02.
“Just my $0.02.”
Does “I’d hit it” cross the line?