They just got better at hiding it, ironically because of Gamergate. Remember how openly smug they acted during gg? They thought labeling someone a "shitlord" and "neckbeard" was all they needed to unperson someone. Remember how activists like Big Red became laughing stocks?
When those labels became ineffective, they escalated: racist, sexist, transphobe, alt-right, nazi, fascist, etc. But the desired outcome remained the same. They want us gone. "No bad tactics, only bad targets".
They became better at obfuscating their intentions, they hide behing platitudes and slogans
Virulent can also mean: full of malice, violent, hateful, etc.
Thanks for the breakdown
I appreciate that.