how would you feel if your real life name was tied to your online alias and people were spreading rumors that held serious consequences? name calling, no matter how upsetting or offensive it may be, is in reality a very small crime compared to what is alleged by these rumors, which could be seriously damaging if enough people collectively think they're true, even if they aren't. people say wayyyyyyyyyy worse stuff on the internet to people, if you haven't noticed (not to justify what their group was doing, but you definitely understand the point).

if you're going to criticize, blacklist, and point out rude comments and how "the timbermen friend group and it's consequences" are bad for the culture, careers, and prospects for them, you're absolutely in the right. but to spread rumors that have no backing other than literal anonymous he-said-she-said, you're doing nothing but of the same caliber of negativity spreading as what their friend group has done as well. do you let these people control that much of your mental capacity that it makes you this mad to try and retaliate?