Ive often wondered who marries the sour pusses? Ive met guys that NEVER joke or even smile, just dead serious every minute of the day. Their wives must lead lives of quiet desperation..Yeah. The internet is a pretty unnatural way to communicate. Lots of nuance and subtlety gets missed without the nonverbal cues. Im naturally very sarcastic and dry as well. A lot of people just flat out dont get it online.
You're right on the second account as well. Lots of big bad men behind the keyboard. They are usually easy to spot and not take seriously.
But on any internet gun forum, you just have a certain amount of know it all, humorless schmuks. Its usually the same few guys though. Mostly people are cool.