Ignoring bots/ads/spam commentators, I think the emergent toxicity in online discussion is a result of a fast-paced feedback loop and (ultimately) low empathy.

Ignoring bots/ads/spam commentators, I think the emergent toxicity in online discussion is a result of a fast-paced feedback loop and (ultimately) low empathy. All people commenting online; liberal, conservative, depressed, mentally ill, whatever-- they all have ebbs and flows to their behavior. Online discussion exposes the sum negative aspects in the behaviors of all actors. Instant feedback loops (esp. 1-to-many interactions) speed up the rate of negativity.