My take is that there was little communication across the huge gap of (say) ~ "what is worth doing with a life?". Nothing like The Web and todays's techno-toys everywhere. Reporters seeking answers, preferably in Controversial format to fit their comfortable agenda == selective data taking.
So.. for benefit of the conventional minded folks, one could always find an overtly dope-smokin idiot to answer chum-bait Questions to suit. And vice versa - arrogance was no stranger in the 'alternate' camp: Shock! the normal folks where possible. Egotism by any name.
So I'll agree - one who wishes to characterize the 'peace movement' as some widespread quality of an admirable Age, are blowing smoke, and there's more smoke umm a blowin in the wind Now (on all topics) that ever before.
*cough* smoke detector keeps beepin.
Pretty soon we'll turn off the smoke detectors again, as the alarms are so annoying as a constant background noise. War on Evil, anyone?
Ashton