I think that perhaps we have not yet adjusted to the full implications of the democratization of speech. Extreme opinions, held by the tiniest, most unhinged minorities, get amplified precisely because they are so unusual. In other words, its not so much that violent, racist ideologies are on the rise, as much as we have access to the ramblings of the entire country and the ideas that most easily stand out in the noise are the horrific ones.
" In other words, its not so much that violent, racist ideologies are on the rise, as much as we have access to the ramblings of the entire country and the ideas that most easily stand out in the noise are the horrific ones."
Comforting theory and yes, surely the horrific opinions stand out. I remember visiting 4chan/pol the first time and how shocked I was. But now I know a bit more of the internet and I would rather say, that most of the things you see, are just the tip of the iceberg.
Such people can be found if you go looking for them, but that doesn't mean they are common. Even a few dozen of them in an industry of hundreds of thousands is enough to create a web forum with the appearance of popularity.
That they're easy to find online may be proof that search engines are effective, but I don't consider it evidence of their prevalence.
Well, no. I am not looking for them. I still find them. Like I said, I do gaming sometimes. On most servers racial insults get you kicked - and for a reason, this is highlighted. On servers without a admin online ... you see it.
But if you want numbers, here, one of the first results with a quick google search:
