The usual problems related to audio and perhaps some other forums are people who are too attached to their belongings and those who feel stupid when purchasing something worthless because some salesman reassured them, but cannot admit this. What brings all people on this forum together, is the enjoyment of music or any other audio related stuff, so we do find worthwhile tuning the audio quality to the very best. Me though, I don't have much money to spend on this equipment, so I try to tone down some of the hype and misconceptions, because what I do not like, is luring people to buy unnecessary things, while this might not be a big issue for the big earners. It is always nice to read posts of wealthy people who tell about their equipment honestly and do not fear of being ridiculed, if they admit they have wasted money big time, but some people think they are themselves valued by what they own and hate to admit, that they have wasted money when they don't hear any difference in audio quality or do not consider the purchasement an actual improvement. They tend to switch to hype mode and praise the products they have and challenging those views almost always results in insults, because they want to simply be happy thinking their stuff is worth something, the best there is, that they are not fools and their limited time on this planet is well spent, enjoying the most high quality audio there is. This is at least what I imagine is going on regarding why people insult in these discussion and ridicule others, but of course, the reason might be way more simple, which is money: People can own stock of various companies which can make them defend their investments by defending the products of those companies, if they happen to be critiqued, or perhaps they guard their resale value - who really knows the mind of the mocker?
Internet is occasionally a nasty place due to these outbursts of emotions of people who just cannot handle the life as well as some others, and I mean in emotional sense. Money is often somehow connected to many issues in the world, the lust for it is the base problem of the world. Music though, when you are in the mood, you likely will listen to it no matter the equipment. In fact, I most often listen to music via my smartphone's speakers simply because the device is almost always with me so it is easy to blast music through it (in private). We likely all here enjoy music first and foremost, no matter the equipment, so I dare to claim that if we wouldn't have the fancy devices we have and couldn't obtain such for some imaginary reason, we would still listen to music in some cheaper manner. This is important to remember, that even if you are able to own great commodities, we should remember what really matters, and concerning audio, it is that music exists and you are able to listen to it somehow (if you are not deaf). I appreciate hifi-audio, but how much easier life would be if one wouldn't think about how things could, or rather should, be improved to fully enjoy something. Advancements in tech are cool, but who even has the time to explore everything? Just relax and blast some beats and if one day you have the spare cash, spend it perhaps on audio product that makes sense to you, but overall these devices are not important by any stretch of imagination.
Be thankful if you can buy/use fine audio equipment, but don't fool yourself. Do not hype stuff to make people waste their money, and respond honestly if anyone asks about these things, without fear of ridicule. "Scoffer is above it all", which means once a person in this particular mindset, he is above all ethic and reason, so arguing is pointless and likely causes more harm than good.
I enjoyed the starting post because I found it genuinely humorous, but concerning the content, I guess it is pretty much impossible to erase bad manners and foolishness from the internet, or anywhere. You can only help yourself and help some others, but we cannot change those who are not willing to appreciate things, but rather feel entitled and a sense of pride for owning something fancy - they have the problem, not you, so just enjoy what you have. It is sad when people exaggerate and mislead people, but if there is any hope, it means when you spell the truth here on this forum or elsewhere, people do recognise it.
Thanks for reading!
EDIT. grammar