From “The Mystery of Marie Rogêt” (1842) by Edgar Allan Poe:
We should bear in mind that, in general, it is the object of our newspapers rather to create a sensation – to make a point – than to further the cause of truth. The latter end is only pursued when it seems coincident with the former. The point which merely falls in with ordinary opinion (however well founded this opinion may be) earns for itself no credit with the mob. the mass of the people regard as profound only him who suggests pungent contradictions of the general idea. In ratiocination, not less than in literature, it is the epigram which is the most immediately and the most universally appreciated. In both, it is of the lowest order of merit.
Alex Good 
Yep, it’s a thing…
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And has been for 150 years.
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Doesn’t really tell us about Marie’s mystery though.
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Upcoming!
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Good Good.
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The mystery is how she could write a thesaurus yet couldn’t use a capital letter after a full stop.
It’s like Fox News. It either gladdens or shocks the aging audience. Being true is a secondary consideration, if at all.
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Good eye for the jots and tittles . . .
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This has all happened before and will likely happen again.
Is that an epigram?
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The Internet just took everything about writing (and human psychology!) and dialed it up to 11!
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