A function of Tumblr v DW different methods of getting media in front of your eyeballs, I think.

On Tumblr, this is The Discourse: only the most controversial opinions got widespread bc the posts were reblogged by the True Believers, the Moderates Softening the Position, and the Absolutely Opposed. The fight makes things *more* visible. To avoid it all, you'd have to end up blocking even the people who are commenting to register their opposition - which, hell, sometimes I did.

On DW, the wankery has to be hosted by someone at their journal or community, and it's more contained - you have to go looking for it. It spills out, yes, but to get the full details you have to go back to the source of the wank, and blocking one person can really effectively remove a lot of fanwank from your life.

Honestly, my view on blocking was honed by Facebook. I block people and delete comments with gleeful abandon and I've ended up with a reasonably civil bunch of folks who I like to hear from. Fandom, learn to block. It's fine.