You would have hated Usenet. It was unmonitored and uncensored. For people who’d like to speak their minds without worrying about being banned, Usenet was great.
The alt.clinton.whitewater forum was a player in the Whitewater scandal’s unfolding. It was a wonderful time.
But not for the thin-skinned or faint-hearted, for sure.
Early on, I browsed around there for a long time but didn’t take part. I know exactly what you mean.
Of course, if I had said anything, I would like have had the TL/DR thing fired at me!
I had no problem with it, it was open free speech and self policed as the internet was meant to be. Don’t like it, don’t go there. :)