I was reading the comments on a post about PTSD and somebody said his therapist said the three things that relieve it are social connections, a sense of mastery, and pleasure.
And it occurred to me that THAT is why I like arguing on the internet so much: I am really, really good at it. It’s my go-to when I’m feeling intimidated or down. And THAT is why I always seem to make things into a pissing contest. To be sure, most conservatives in left wing places are insulted vigorously and constantly (and usually childishly), but my ideas are developed. I can’t sell them if I’m inflicting them. I think of Dale Carnegie and Two Gun Crowley.
This is a human perspective, which of course fails to take into account the inhuman nature of dehumanizing, predatory propaganda.
Still, I have not thought of this quite that way. My task is to master more things, rather than play the same old tune the same old way.