This isn't a subculture so much as it reflects one.

It's almost a community but with severe limitations. I think it's safe to say that it contains a community.

It seems to have progressed past what used to be referred to as "cycles". Now it is pretty much static. People read the posts of those whose posts they like to read. People post with about the amount of care relative to the liklihood that they believe their posts might be read or will matter.

So communication is always on a bit of a downward spiral -- People start out writing carefully, thoughtfully, until such time as it becomes evident that no matter how hard they may try to communicate clearly, a surprising number of people will misunderstand. Many here seem read with adversarial intent -- it's nearly impossible to communicate clearly with them because their default setting is set to "argue".