If airlines did not want seats to recline then they wouldn’t recline. There are a couple rows of seats near the Exit Rows that do not recline so as to keep access for exits. Bottom line is if you want extra room and don’t want a reclining seat in front of you then pay for first class or Comfort seats. The guy continually thumping seat of reclined seat was a prick. His conduct was inexcusable. The Flight Attendant that agreed with the guy should be fired. Flight Attendant has no people skills. Airlines have added more and more seats. They are to blame.
I don't disagree that the airlines have basically turned airplanes into cattle cars with the additional seating and all. However, what the airlines do shouldn't mean that people can't try to coexist on a flight. It should be fairly simple. If you want to recline your seat, check with the person behind you first to make sure they're cool with it or at least so they have a fair warning and you're not throwing your seat back into their knees at 100 miles an hour. That hurts like a son of a *****. If someone in front of you does recline and they're right up in your personal space, then just ask them to move the seat back up a little.