Dog and Frog, you got me to put on my "serious hat" for some thoughts.
When I get on the "board" I feel a certain anonymity. A lot of us use screen names that in no way give any indication of our identity or who we are. Others of us use names that are similar to our real names, and in some cases our actual names. In either case I take and give comments in the context that I am dealing with "anonymous" people. People who's identity only exist in cyberspace. Even though we often deal with issues effecting us personally, it is done in this medium of cyberspace or anonymity or of non-personal (if any of those terms accurately describe it).
This to me is a positive. I think it allows us to be more candid and say things we might otherwise feel would be improper or impolite in "real world" settings. It often brings out more sarcasm and attempts at humor than we might attempt in a face to face situation, comments that if were made face to face would easily be thought to be offensive, judgmental, impolite, etc.
So I think it is important for all of us to consider if this medium is how I see it and try to describe it. To use this cybertalk, IMHO, see it even has it's own language, we could seem less offensive and, especially when discussing issues that are on the serious side as opposed to our "chit - chat" and light heated discussion, possibly feel more comfortable in saying things we might otherwise keep to ourselves.
You can tell I have a lot of idle time during the final days of this sabbatical of mine. Those of you who know me personally probably think when you read some of what I write, who is that guy? Don't anyone mistake this for any kind of apology for what I write. I stand well hidden behind my "anonymous" words.