The difference is that the forums were small, self-contained and didn't rule your digital life. They were (are) much more similar to how the "real world" operat

The difference is that the forums were small, self-contained and didn't rule your digital life. They were (are) much more similar to how the "real world" operates - you may get excluded from a local fizzbuzz club after a disagreement, but you still have many other clubs to choose from. Now compare that to being banned by Google.