Good, actually, considering how poor physical shape people are in generally, most people can't stand up to a proper beating. And if you want people to fight, there are clubs for that.
The last part though; Since when was this new? That has always been the case, even if the insults has become more creative rather than brutal and plain, it's still the same **** that people has always done; Formed groupings and insulted eachother.
Also, full disclosure; Born in '85, so I'm part of Generation Wuss.