I'm unsure what your second citation is for, they don't use the word "data thugs" but the author certainly seems annoying (although likely correct about the points they're making as far as I read).
e: the parent comment has now been edited for clarity, keeping my comment for posterity
It is hard for me to comprehend a point of view where that article is not considered abrasive in tone. Whether or not it bothers you is another question.
The tile is in all caps "THE DUMBEST FUCKING THING I’VE EVER READ" and challenges someone to a cage fight at the end. The entire rest of the article could have been honeyed sweetness (which clearly it's not), and that could be enough to call it abrasive.
One person I showed it responded very favorably, commenting that the author clearly considered it "...important to get the basic points across violently vecause no one is listening to the non-violent arguments." i.e. this is abrasive, but abrasive to a purpose.
> If that's considered abrasive, we've really lost out on actual communication for the sake of bullshit etiquette.
Did we read the same article? I'm confident that we can have actual communication that is both less obnoxious and not hamstrung by "bullshit etiquette."
e: the parent comment has now been edited for clarity, keeping my comment for posterity