Whether it’s a sense of superiority or just to be funny or asinine or out of a genuine need to spread the truth, people online generally try to be contrarian as often as possible because it gives them some sort of personal gratification or a sense that they’re correcting something wrong in the universe.
I’d love to disagree but it feels like falling into a trap.
I would say that arguing is entertaining and intellectually stimulating. It should not happen at the cost of being a dick though.
Yes, but not necessarily in a bad way. I enjoy finding small issues which others may not typically notice; half the time they are taken as intended (see: https://lemmy.world/comment/9002659), in a collegial way. I don’t intend to be contrarian per se, which I think is at odds with your mention of correcting something “wrong” as you can be contrarian just to annoy rather than because there’s an issue.
As a contrarian, yes.
It’s nice to be able to think things some people refuse to think. And I do sometimes feel superior in being able to do that.
As a contrarian, also no.
My personal brand of contrarianism is trying to understand people. I feel like I get much further in understanding others from my perspective by opposing theirs. But I’m also willing to meet them half way if they participate.