Could somebody explain to me what the fuck is going on?!

[Jeanette X]

What the fuck? What is going on here? I see all these posts with insults thrown back and forth at people, topics sidetracking into flame wars, and people announcing that they are leaving the board forever. Would somebody please explain to me, clueless newbie that I am, what exactly everyone is fighting about?! I haven't the time to go through all these damned posts to learn the root of the conflicts, so if somebody could tell me how this started and why my favorite messageboard appears to have completely disintigrated, I would be greatful.