More likely the Pirate Code dictates that the most expenda… errr… "junior" crew members go first into the the pit to try to pry open door to where the quarry is hiding, while the more senior officers get to supervise from where they can easily hop out of the acid’s path.

I don’t think there has been a rise of it, it’s just that thanks to social media and the internet they are all now front and center.

The ignorant bastard that 20 years ago would’ve been the problem of a few hundred people at most, now gets to angrily shout his ignorance to the entire planet.

Hattans. The Troiks enemies are called the Hattans.

Not cooler... but probably more comfortable to live in long term.