There's something about assuming the position of the reader and talking down to him/her that smacks of frustration with humanity, coupled with the feeling that

There's something about assuming the position of the reader and talking down to him/her that smacks of frustration with humanity, coupled with the feeling that being patronizing is acceptable. Complaining about dumb people is so understandable and yet so not productive. That's why it is usually left up to friends and family. You vent to your peers but present well reasoned arguments and suggestions to the masses, once you have calmed down and come up with a potential solution. Without a solution - you're just another complainer, lord knows we have enough of those, myself included :)