I would say the main problem is that access to all these avenues of communication make it easier than ever to be rude or just plain boring, whereas in the past - if you had a social appearance, you were prepared to be polite, sociable and ready to have conversations about points of interest. Now, you are always "on", and unsuprisingly, the minutiae of your daily life can often contain bits and pieces of grating info that can't be so easily filtered since it's out there for all to see (and judge...and comment on).

A number of my friends are already running into the reality check that some of the people or situations they are commenting on, more specifically the commentary itself, actually offends some of their friends. For example, some of my conservative friends claim that only braindead people believe in government controlled healthcare and they link to articles saying just that. Unfortunately, living in DC, a number of friends with strong political beliefs take the commentary very personally. Ditto with the election between Obama and McCain.

I'd like to think a single thoughtful message delivered well is better than ten thousand mini-comments.