Abuse is a heavily loaded word, and as an aside, I hate the cheapening of language in modern times. Assault is another that's getting cheapened. Someone bluntly telling another "you're dead wrong" isn't abuse IMO.
But to your main point, I've seen my share of the polite leading the polite. If there is a general level of competence, fine, work can still proceed. But often, workplaces need an asshole who will voice their opinion in blunt language. There are moments when diplomacy causes, at best, avoidable delays, but at worst completely fucked projects.
There is massive difference between "you are wrong" and mocking someone. Both deserve different response - when someone mocks you it is perfectly ok to mock back or ignore that person. Which is what people do. Mocking makes you asshole.
Workplaces don't need assholes. People who reasinably criticise are not assholes.
Bluntness is considered rude in most societies I'm familiar with. Not good either.
As another aside, I feel this is the problem with downvoting. It is a blunt criticism in a society where criticism must be delivered cautiously to avoid offense.
If you are talking about "pathetic inadequacy of the contributions" then the contributions better really be inadequate and pathetic. Only then it is bluntness or "telling it like it is".
And most often, those contributions were normal or even state of art when they have been made - making accusation not so much blunt. Instead, it is appeal to emotions, an attempt to leverage funy sounding expression for own goal.
And it is only fair when people respond to it in kind.
But to your main point, I've seen my share of the polite leading the polite. If there is a general level of competence, fine, work can still proceed. But often, workplaces need an asshole who will voice their opinion in blunt language. There are moments when diplomacy causes, at best, avoidable delays, but at worst completely fucked projects.