Sometimes I read the comments that these days invariably follow news articles or op-ed pieces, though increasingly less and less. The internet may have democratized the common man, so to speak, allowing a thousand flowers to bloom. But there is a price. For every well-formed, substantiated, issue-centred response to an article, there are half a dozen, inarticulate, insulting, ad hominem rants that add nothing to reasonable debate. They are often aggressive, illogical and poorly evidenced.

Once upon a time these kind of opinions were confined to the pub, the back of a taxi or the odd family get together where inebbriated rellies would opine on the youth of today or the scourge that is single mothers. Or worse. Now, anyone who has an internet connection can be an instant publisher of opinions, regardless of their worth, rigour or balance. Rarely is there any attempt at genuine accountability, as users can hide behind meaningless psuedo-names. I wonder if any of these people would publish their opinions if they had to write their real name and home town? Very doubtful, I think.

And then there is the CAPS LOCK crowd. Now don't get me started on them.....