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> Here, have a strong cup of toughen-the-fuck-up.

You might have a point generally, but I think you miss some historical context.

A few hundred years ago, depending on location, if you made a "random snide comment" someone(s) might die. This used to be more serious stuff.

These days we have rule of law, but taking care of your reputation and social respect is certainly one of the things you find not only in the Western world but in all cultures, including among baboons. It is partly genetic.

(Consider all the muscles in your face to communicate and your language facilities; we have had lots of evolutionary pressure to be social with people. That is, if you failed in life or not was to a large degree decided by how you functioned with other people.)

The point is, it is normal, now and historically, to feel destroyed and be motivated by social respect and insults.

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