I believe this is true, and I have a theory that these public spectacles are fuelled and perpetuated primarily by the simple fact that anyone with well reasoned, rational responses tend to keep quiet in fear of being drawn into an ugly discourse - leaving the metaphorical inmates to run the prison.

Much in the same way that most reasonable people don't go into the circus that is politics?

Was going to say the same thing, in marriages like society, once there are things you "can't talk about" it only gets worse.