"Lots of people are selfish shitheads unless they think there may be immediate consequences for them acting like shitheads" is a well-worn observation on human nature, and is not especially new. Just watch how people drive for the next few miles after they spot a cop on the interstate as an example.

The fact that apparently these people can't quite separate the fictional concept of Batman with reality, i.e. the threat of real-world consequences, is somewhat novel. Not especially encouraging, but novel.