I've never encountered this sentiment regarding usenet. Or maybe I'm misinterpreting your comment? Do you mean that knowledge of, and participation on usenet is elite/special? I find it fascinating if that is what you mean. I was born in the 80s and never really had that feeling from anyone in my circle of friends; more like, "Hello! What is wrong with you? We have forums on the web now."
Around the time of fight club being popular, usenet was the place to find pirated media and software. The inspired formulation of the "rule" gathered steam because it seemed no one in authority noticed this while they freaked out about napster and descendants.
