The biggest things I have learned while reading these forums over the past few months is how many people have to have an opinion on EVERYTHING. And they’re ALWAYS RIGHT. Even if you agree with them, they will argue that they're right-er.
They must proclaim their authority on every subject. More importantly, everyone needs to hear their facts (opinion.) Most importantly, everyone needs to agree with their facts (opinion.)
Self-confidence doesn’t need validation.
It’s well-known that people who are the least confident over-compensate by trying to make themselves look smarter by constantly getting on their soapbox. Many of us here will disengage when we know the discussion has turned into potshots, manifestos and diatribes. Many more will NEVER engage because of the aggressiveness and ugliness. And it seems like nearly every discussion has to turn ugly because grudges spill over from other posts.
Confident people know they don’t have to prove their intelligence, their value or their worth by constantly talking. They aren’t worried about always being right. Their minds are open more than their mouth. They don’t have to proclaim their authority on every subject. They know when to disengage. Or not even engage.