It's a part of it - is regarded as cool to be angsty and defiant. When someone doesn't actually have intelligent points, they can just make the same joke they read about in the newspaper or heard a comedian say.

> Maybe only thoughtful discussions can be had when a group is limited to a certain size...

I think this is more true with men than women - I think men jockey for status a little more.

> ...and status is defined by the most original discussions

Either that, or a clearly defined hierarchy. If it's clear who is in charge and there's mutual respect, there's no status jockeying. It's when it's not clear who is in a leadership role or there's not mutual respect that you get the most of it. Anonymity only makes that worse.