This is a really good question. I think in part the problem extends well beyond this forum, though. Research psychologists (of which I’m one, sort of) have noted a significant rise in self-entitlement and narcissism in recent decades, at least in certain cultures, and it’s well known how much people on social media (especially forums) become dangerously insulated from the people they hurt and so end up being ruder and more antisocial than they ever would face-to-face.
But above all, we’re going through a really terrible period in human history right now, from the rapid rise of fascism and populism (both of them narcissistic phenomena, if you think about it) to a major pandemic. Most of us are not very self-aware at the best of times, and stress and fear make us even less so. Virtually everybody is chronically frightened to some degree - it’s just human nature, because we arrive on Earth without an instruction manual. What varies is not the presence of fear but the degree to which people are aware that they are frightened. It’s perfectly possible to be existentially terrified and not know it - a lot of personality disorders are fueled this way. And one of the most common ways in which fear expresses itself in those who are not really aware of its presence is that they become aggressive and pugnacious.
One powerful source of existential fear in the 21st Century is technology. Nobody wants to admit that they don’t understand how their cellphone works (at a deep technical level), which means an essential modern tool is basically a kind of magic to most of us - something that’s not quite predictable or within our control. We are slaves to them, not masters of them. The same is true for desktop computers and complex software like simulators (for most people, anyway, the fear is much lower among engineers, obviously). Nobody (especially men and, even more so, young men) wants to feel a lack of control, and one of the ways we (men) deal with this is to become pompous and arrogant and massively overestimate our competence. “This simulator wouldn’t be such c**p if I were in charge!” It’s just a coping strategy, that’s all. Not a very good one, but a natural and common one.
That doesn’t mean we should cut people much slack - there’s no room for antisocial behavior in today’s interdependent, high-density world - but it does help our own blood pressure if we can learn to recognize it for what it is: a (frequently habitual) emotional reaction, not a rational intention. In the absence of genuine and immediate threat, aggressiveness is usually a sign that people are uncomfortable with something but don’t really understand what or why. The best way to defuse it is to try to control our OWN responses and not get bent out of shape by it.
So, I think it’s good every time that someone here responds to a dumb newbie question by taking it seriously and patiently trying to help, as many valiantly do, or ignores the aggressive parts of a comment and focuses instead on the substance. It sets a good example. It says that it’s ok if things are confusing or annoying or exasperating. It says we’re all in it together and here to help each other. It shows people (many of whom may be teenagers) how grown-ups behave. Every time people behave kindly, it makes aggression and acting out less effective as a coping strategy. Making unwelcome people feel more welcome, despite them acting out, encourages them not to keep doing it. “Turn the other cheek”, “when they go low, we go high” and all that.
But if that doesn’t work after a couple of attempts, block them and forget them, because I know from bitter personal experience that it otherwise leads to co-dependence, where they NEED you to be kind and reasonable and patient, to save them from having to address their own behavioral problems, and if you’re not careful you’ll come to need them too, to validate your own personality!
What I keep reminding myself (after having counted to ten) is that we’re all just hairless chimpanzees. Even the hairy chimpanzees have reached the Stone Age now, making simple stone tools, and we’re really not that far in front of them. It’s just that our modern tools and systems leapt ahead much faster than we could keep up.
Anyway, I’m just offering a psychological perspective, for what its worth. If this answer ■■■■■■ anyone off for some reason, then I’m just going to assume it just proves my point.