Originally posted by: luvly
The problem with questions such as this is the extreme subjectivity. You will see people say AT is the most hostile forum, whereas others will say no. It's also hard to answer the question if you haven't really experienced other forums. My guess would be that there's definitely a more hostile forum out there. There's always one above another.

However, I'll try responding in the capacity of my experience: AT.
When participating as a spectator, you might say it's hostile. As a new member with the first post ever, you'll more likely say yes. As a senior member, you'll most likely say no. You became immuned as time went on. As an old member, you'll more like say yes because your perception of hostility is biased. You measure it up to what was acceptable at your time.
In my point of view, the forum is less hostile than it was 2 years ago. I admit I've been immuned. Nevertheless, looking from an objective point of view, which I believe I can do, I think the forum is less hostile than it was two years ago. Long ago, being a new member and starting a thread to say "hello" got you insults and "neffing". Two years ago, not being in a circle of friends or kissing butts got you hostility or dismissal (including creating grounds for it if there wasn't any). There's also the fact that the political discussions were moved to another subcategory. Political topics contributed significantly to the hostile environment.
On the other hand, the forum is more hostile than it was just a year ago. The change in members who frequent the forum is a contributing factor to the hostile nature.