What is it with all these symbols? What do they mean? Is this the same thing as the American's strange obsession with abbreviating everything, that we now need to understand random symbols as well? ==/ ==/=
By creating many abbreviations and symbols, the speaker can seem more intelligent when they are asked to explain what their symbols mean. Its shifts position of power in an argument to the person who knows what all the symbols mean.
Using language everyone can understand would create too much of an equal footing, especially when most internet arguments/discussions are really weak.