Poll: Are you a contrarian?

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I find myself being a contrarian on most subjects on most days and attribute that fact to my neurodivergence. Just curious if that's common in this world or is it just me?

Personally, I find that I am highly reactive to the things with which I disagree, but I tend to just internalize the disagreement and distance myself rather than confronting an issue.

Everyone tells me I'm contrarian, but they're all wrong.

For the second post today..... Yeah-nah.

I do, however, often find myself playing devil's advocate simply because an opposing viewpoint seems not to have been considered.

I can be, but I try to check those traits.

A lot of contrarians seem to be motivated by the desire to view themselves as smarter than everyone else and the more aware of that I become the more I try to avoid being the I did my own research guy who's research consists entirely of reading a few things that reinforce his own biases and then being a dick to people who've read what the experts say.

That said, I'm not a particularly agreeable person and I'm usually pretty quick to question established wisdom if it seems wrong. To some extent I've learned to take more of a Socratic approach by asking questions more and arguing less. I'm also perfectly willing to let people explain things to me like I'm five in case the questions or arguments I'm about to raise are actually stupid.

Moderately contrarian but vocal would be the optimal answer.

I suppose I fit the definition, though I never set out to be a contrarian. I just have an eye for what's wrong with things and I like to explain what I've seen that others apparently haven't seen.

Whether I'm vocal or quiet depends on who I'm with at the time. I'm aware that some people don't like their ideas contradicting, so I'd rather not hurt their feelings and usually I resist the temptation to correct them. But if they seem like they might be open to question and criticism, I might take a chance and say what I think. And if they're being bossy or trying to assert a level of authority I don't think is appropriate, then as long as I feel confident I'd probably point out the mistakes in what they're saying.

One thing I liked about my science jobs is that science welcomes constructive criticism and uses it to modify and develop its ideas. Human nature got in the way of that sometimes, but at least it was an environment in which criticism was seen as a healthy thing. I also read that groups make more effective decisions when they're open to mutual criticism. So I think there's a place in the world for contrarianism. The only time I don't welcome it is when it's delivered in a brash, aggressive way. There's no need for it - I think it gets in the way of influencing people's thinking, and is an indicator of bad faith. I think "contrarian" has something of a pejorative flavour to it but if it's done properly it's a good thing.

I find myself getting annoyed easily by things I disagree with but I try not to act annoyed or get in someone's face, though I sometimes fail.