I have always lived in small towns. Like, thats John because he is driving "A". People are way more polite and considerate when both you and John don’t pass each other like a jerk on the hiway and end up at the same work parking lot, store whatever. Even face to face interactions between strangers are typically civil most places. Although I have never been to AXOMA...
Nastiness is way easier to express as has been pointed out. Unhappy folks pissy posts for sure. But people have always been opinionated illogical, well, people. About 8 billion versions of the truth on the planet by my last count. Reading the Summer of 1927, all about the world that year. To read some of the official policies and public opinions of the time make today look tame. So nothing new under the sun.
Just read this quote yesterday : Comparison is the thief of joy.
Peace