There's never an environment where a personal attack serves any purpose other than to boost the ego of the attacker. But it's an unfortunate reality that an "average" person (not everyone!) is wired to behave in such a manner. As an unfortunately "average" person, I've had to learn to root out this counter-productive impulse consciously.

Toxic people are generally not worth engaging in a productive manner, but it may be worth at least pointing out the irrational nature of their behaviour -- a though planted once may yet take root when these people have to face the reality of their own toxicity.

A fine article. I'll be sure to read others down your timeline.