I see them as kind of ineresting a wierd way--in real life, the perceived (or occasionally real) threat of a debate ending with a punch in the mouth generally keeps us all in line. Even the idea of looking like an ass in front of folks keeps us all in the civil end of the spectrum.

It's neat to see that as we strip the venneers down and throw up the comfort of anonymity, how many people will reduce themselves to name calling and bullying. Pity there's no way to send an "E-punch in the nose" might keep it all civil.