BinaryBits: Here is a quick guide to using social media :
Don't Complain
Don't Condemn
Don't Argue
Don't discuss :
Politics
Race
Religion
Follow the above hints for great glory on the internet
I beg to differ, when I registered here it was pretty civil even when forum members discussed political, religious or racial topics. - discussion was focused on making arguments in a civil manner,. Sometimes it got out of hand, people got verbally at each others throat, some could not stand each other - but that happens, when you throw a bunch of people together.There was no moderation at all.
The first noticeable change in the discussion culture here was during and after GamerGate. People seemed more polarized, more entrenched in their opinion and even not political topics devolved into political verbal trench warfare.
First calls for moderation were heard in the forum.
The second change happened around the time Witcher 3 was released, a lot of new people joined the forum. The way people treated each other overall took a nosedive downhill, I would even say political, religious, racial discussions got a hysterical, a bit manic note. Topics that have nothing to do with politics, like mentioned above, devolved into political trench warfare far more often. The forum here was a shit hole, eventually moderation was introduced.
I do not think it is the Internet or the social media - we humans in the western world have changed.