It is also hard to convey tone online, so comments intended to be in category 2 or 3 can sometimes be interpreted as lower.
Is the problem with conveying tone really the issue when people respond with
"who cares",
"you must be new to the internet" and
"too bad so sad?" What about
"got your point..two buttons confuse the hell out of you..." stated repeatedly, despite knowing full well that wasn't the "point".
I don't think trouble with conveying tone is the issue there at all. I think the problem there is people acting like ***holes, plain and simple. And I really don't understand why it's allowed. Because they're "regulars"?