I don’t care about getting rises out of people. I don’t see how being antagonistic is unproductive. That’s how shit gets changed. I also don’t really like “exchanging ideas” in the calm, tepid sense.
You’re never going to change someone’s mind by being antagonistic toward them. I think diplomacy and compromise are far more effective means of change. But I keep forgetting that nobody compromises anymore.
I have things to say and I’m very passionate about them and when I see things that I disagree with or that I think are uninformed or unreasonable, then I call it out.
Fine if that’s your thing. I just wouldn’t expect to make very many friends.