I think it’s an intrinsic byproduct of any site/community that puts an algorithmic feed optimized for “engagement” front and center. By our nature, we engage with things that ping our extreme senses, which is the core reason Facebook and Twitter have gone to complete crap. Clickbait is truly bait and we are just angry raging fish if baited sufficiently.

I think it’s absolutely possible to have a community that doesn’t suck if sucky behavior is punished instead of rewarded.