I think it’s more complicated, too. Everybody has a dark side and it’s more likely to come out when one is anonymous or when they’re under extreme pressure. Being snarky isn’t the same as being deliberately cruel. I didn’t see the story you referenced, but there definitely are a number of people writing on this platform who are full of it. Announcing it in a headline is tacky, though.

The power that writing here gives people can go to their heads. For many, it takes a while to figure out the best way to be. Much of the mean, angry stuff is someone trying to attract readers. Good people are capable of bad behavior, especially when it’s about making a buck.

One writer on here who gets bullied a lot called some people out by name a while back, not for bullying but for refusing to respond to a charitable call to action. It was uncool. This person seemed to think it’s okay to bully top male writers because they’re making a lot of money and they’re men. It’s not. Being a victim doesn’t make you a saint.