The only reason I haven't jumped ship already is that most of the alternatives have been violently Twitterized. I'm determined to think in full paragraphs. I just can't wait for the headline "Generation Z rediscovers the paragraph." Maybe if I'm lucky--and live long enough to see it--the paragraph will become retro cool.
Generation Z will never discover the paragraph. The closest they will come is strings of phrases and cliches loosely related to the same topic or train of thought. Generation Z perceives paragraphs as well as structured thought as work and therefore must be avoided. As you have observed, people adopt language use from their environment, and the fine literary, theatrical, and music arts which they have been exposed to include text messaging, Harry Potter, teenager sitcoms on Disney/Nick/ABC family, Hannah Montana and Lady Gaga--all of which can be published on twitter with little comprehension lost.
As for the recent editorial quality, I blame new management and the lack of cApiTaL punishment. It'd be nifty if trolls and trollish stories were punished by having their posts all capitalized via moderation, for example, every down vote causes another letter get capitalized. I know I'd gloss over articles and posts written in all caps. But it'd also be nifty if trolls were lynched.