Comment by jm000 on That other kind of status · 2009-12-29T16:06:58.050Z · LW · GW

I thought it was a reference to a Dutch obsession with status.

Comment by jm000 on The Correct Contrarian Cluster · 2009-12-22T17:01:08.417Z · LW · GW

It makes sense, in informal contexts, to espouse a contrarian view, particularly if it is the opposite to what you actually hold to be true and the issue at hand is frequently disputed. In doing so, one can strengthen the future presentation of one's own real position using information or strategies garnered from your interlocutors' responses (assuming that a contrary discussion elicits more of potential value than one conducted in agreement).

In short: argue against yourself when it doesn't matter in order better to argue for yourself when it does.