Some of it is boastful posturing that happens, inadvertently, to make others feel guilty.

But a lot of it is ham-handed application of questionable copywriting tactics ("emotional triggers" and that sort of thing). If the pinnacle of one's online persona-cum-sales strategy is to tell readers they're lame...it's fair to ask who's actually the loser in that situation.

Anyway, thanks for the article. It needed writing, and you did it justice.