When Did We Get So Nasty?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rzf4SFFDtRI/UtIIPBC4rUI/AAAAAAAAPKM/sy0B4FrzkZ4/s1600/vitriol.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rzf4SFFDtRI/UtIIPBC4rUI/AAAAAAAAPKM/sy0B4FrzkZ4/s1600/vitriol.jpg" width="480"></a></div> <br> Vitriolic.<br> <br> That's the only word I can think of that effectively summarizes what I've seen online lately.<br> <br> In case you're not familiar with the term, it's derived from the word <b><i>vitriol</i></b>, which is another term for sulphuric acid. "Vitriolic" means caustic or severely harsh, and it's quite clear that those who have physically <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfuric_acid#Laboratory_hazards">used the chemical compound to attack other</a>s have clearly meant harm. There's even evidence of that in an old Sherlock Holmes story, "<b><a href="http://youtu.be/03kFJCulGuY?t=46m33s">The Illustrious Client</a></b>."<br> <br> And lately, if you've had even a passing glance at any number of topics on the web - Chick-fil-A and their CEO's unfortunate statements, the Olympics (particularly the two athletes who now find themselves banned because of hateful tweets directed against their competitors), or of course anything related to politics that involves two or more political parties - you'll get the sense that rational and emotionally detached debate has completely gone out the window.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br> </div></div>

When Did We Get So Nasty?

Vitriolic. That's the only word I can think of that effectively summarizes what I've seen online lately. In case you'r...

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