The behavior is disturbing and the rationalization even moreso. It's inexcusable and should be left as just that without any "But", "I don't like this person but", and "that's just how the internet is". It's not sociable activity at all. It's troubling and it keeps on getting overlooked or excused.

"That's not everyone in the fanbase" but it's more than enough cases of this happening without any sort of conflict control. Posts about how we need to do better, but then will be just as fast to forget and angrily QT another post they don't agree with, prompting inadvertent dog-piling along the way

Then there are others who turn a blind eye to it. Funny how they'll be able to find an opinion they don't like as fast as lightning, but when it comes to those who point out the harassment, dog-piling, and passive aggressive problems, they get as quiet as a church mouse.

And despite those who say they don't condone this behavior, they'll quickly say the words "But" or "however" rendering their prior condemnation of said behavior meaningless. It's meaningless because there's still rationalization for why the behavior was, at the very least, earned.

It's this odd rationalization of poor behavior. This mindset that "because you said something I didn't like, expect me to be passive aggressive and borderline insulting in return" is rampant. Ignoring an opinion is simply not an option. It must be confronted with some level of hostility and spite.

The way those on Sonic Twitter have more of an issue over people not liking games than passive aggressive, petty, or spiteful insults to one's character is disappointing. Not shocking but still. Why isn't there a similar understanding that someone will not like something? Why is it only to rudeness?