On Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:25:36 -0500, "A.True.Boater"
wrote:

I really do think someone should do their PhD Thesis on "The Complex
Interpersonal Relationships as Displayed in Usenet Newsgroups and their
Relationship with Mental Illness". It would be one hell of a funny
book.

There's certainly a lot of original source material available right
here. Unfortunately it's not just in rec.boats however. Tale a look
in the comments section after various news articles. There seems to
be something about the internet and its perception of anonymity that
brings out a lot of hidden hostility. The groups that manage to
maintain a modicum of civility are all heavily moderated.