I fully agree, I had the same impression lately.

I personally believe they have always been out there, so the question must be: what does attract them to the EF lately? The lack of sarcasm and bashing that potentially kept them away in the past? Or is there another factor we "outsiders" do not see?

The best theory I can provide is: The worst cases are rather new members who all live locally, so they cannot be mixed up with one of the random overseas-trolls we face here regularly. This time it is a completely differnet scale.
Is it a coincidence that Bluewin has lately closed down its very popular "Jass chat", which used to be a magnet for users I do not need/want to see on the EF? Have other forums been closed for continuous pedantry? Do they swarm through the internets like locusts leaving dead carcasses of once thriving online communities behind?

For those who will ask the obvious pedantic question: Yes, it is an 2004 "Eaglehawk" Cabernet from South Eastern Australia. Very nice.