Have Audiophiles lost their CIVILTY!

It's the nature of modern online posting.The algorithms of lots of sites reward bad behavior and promote a lack of tolerance and these stupid manifestations spill over to other sites. 

It's a pathetically limited learned response as evidenced by intolerance that leads to firstly, going nuclear, and then censorship. We're living in a world of what online observers call rage monkeys. 

It's like that movie, The Crazies, but there wasn't any military plane crash that leaked chemicals into the local water source for a small city that drove them insane. They just spent too much time online at the wrong sites. 

All the best,
Nonoise

You answered your own question.  People that feel insecure may feel threatened by a different opinion which they may consider a threat so they feel more secure by doubling down on their opinion and rejecting the other opinion, which can be become personal.  So lashing out at a different opinion and the person is a defense mechanism.  The best defense is a strong offense or in this example offensive behavior.  If people feel secure they are more likely to be open to listening to different opinions that challenge their own way of thinking.  

 Maybe some double empathy issues. Not all Audiophiles are the same anymore. An ontological problem that rears its head when the group becomes more diverse. 

The answer is obvious.  The combination of "reality" television, "social media",  the right wing disinformation machine, and the current holder of the highest office in the land and his supporters, have derailed honesty and decency.  You can disagree with that, but you would be wrong.