> we have a mechanism for people who are truly assholes - be tolerant and ignore them.

Why does the GP feel they can convey their criticisms to other parties as callously as they please, but reject that anyone should respond to them negatively?

I think you're putting words in my mouth.

I didn't say reject people that respond to them negatively. You're more than welcome to criticize the criticizers with a counter argument. That's healthy debate. What you missed is the main thrust of my argument regarding the "Like" button you see on social media and gamification of an otherwise normal intellectual discourse. It brews mediocrity.

The phrase that sticks out to me is “right-to-be-offended is rampant”. Because people do have that right — and complaining about them exercising it sure makes it sound like you’d like to express your opinions without worrying about others responding in kind.

I think it’s a balance and is not an absolute.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_tolerance