I don't think that quite explains it. Someone who calls himself "ryan" on IRC makes unsubstantiated claims, and in response many dozens of people say loathsome, sneering things about the security practices of this company. The appearance of a mob emerges after a thread exists, it doesn't create the thread.

The IQ of a Mob = (The lowest IQ in the Mob) / (The size of the Mob)

This from a Terry Pratchett book. Can't remember which one, but it's one of the earlier Discworld books.