I agree.. it sounds like he was socially anxious (not arguing that he should/shouldn't be so) and had lashed out emotionally in the guise of a holier/more intellectual-than-thou snip.

Cultural historical differences be damned; while types of comedy and speech have changed over time, real wit has always been a part of modern human behavior, and putting someone down in the name of comedy has always been a slight. I especially agree with the call out about basically esoteric trivia; it sounds like something I would have said when I was 17, thinking I was above everyone, and just making everyone else around me feel extremely awkward.