This is quite sad, really.
First, I would just encourage barefoot runners to take on every challenge that nature throws at us...within reason, of course, and acorns would be a perfect challenge to help teach us how to pay attention to our foot falls, tread lightly, and not take our surroundings for granted. Feel it!
With that said, it's one thing that so many people would spread ill-will, although we've come to expect it in public forum-type discussions, but it's quite another when news outlets pick up that discussion and take it to another level. There's enough hate out there.