To ask you to psychoanalyse me

[analyseme]

Why do I constantly seek out challenge?
Not like constructive challenges like 3 peaks or something but conversational challenge.

I purposefully befriend people of the opposite political standing, from a completely different back ground, surround myself with a variety of people who have strong views and when with them will seek to challenge their arguments.

It’s getting worse as I’m getting older, much worse.

I seem to enjoy leaving ambiguous statements and then challenging the responder when they jump to a conclusion. Just to insight a challenge, when I’m bored?

I’m sure most people just think I’m an arsehole but what is going on up stairs, why do I enjoy this? I’m never rude or heated or result to personal attacks even though most do get frustrated/result in personal attacks.

Why would anyone answer when you've pointed out that you make ambiguous statements and then jump on responders? If you're happy being an arse on the internet then crack on.
If you want to change, then you need some deeper reflection and more information than you've provided.

Are you angry about other things and you want an outlet? (Are you going to get angry the replies to this thread?) Or maybe you prefer to argue than to have more intimate conversations - you can stay connected with people but at arms length?

Not just on the internet.. to peoples faces too

Some people are annoying with no psychological reason behind it

You most likely just fall into that category

Maybe you missed your vocation in politics.

Yeah you just sound like a common garden variety arsehole

Maybe you just like the attention. Like starting a thread asking people to psychoanalyse you. Maybe you like people talking about you and your opinions.

No need to psychoanalyse as surely you just crave exercise for your brain? Just as the way people crave physical exercise challenges, so you crave mental exercise.

Do you manage to keep friends

I’m sure most people just think I’m an arsehole but what is going on up stairs, why do I enjoy this?

As a pp said, might it just be that you... well... are?

Would someone telling they think you why you behave a certain way help? Or would you want to challenge their view and push them away?

I would instead think it would be useful for you to ask yourself some questions to help you reflect. Eg:

• do you feel secure and like you're accepted as you are? Do you/ did you have this security from your parents?
• why do you feel the need to attack or argue with others? Do you feel the need to be defensive to protect yourself?
• do you let people 'in' and allow yourself to be vulnerable with others? If not, why not?
• why do you crave attention (including attention on the internet)? Do you feel like you've been given sufficient attention in the past?

Are you an aries by any chance?

Possibly a need to prove you’re cleverer than them?

Superiority complex?
The 'I am right not you' complex?
'I just like written kick downs because everyone needs upsetting because I am internally upset about my life'

???

It's likely some sort of insecurity issue.

You need to prove something to yourself, like you're self sufficient or smart or intellectual, so you have these "challenging" convos, and if people get peeved off that's just a by product.

Then if they keep you on as a friend that "proves" it to you they're definitely your friend not a flaker.
You're testing their boundaries so you can trust them.

Maybe you're overly investing in your ego self because deep down you're frightened to confront the fact that your life has no inherent purpose or meaning?

Oppositional defiant disorder of sorts

Attention seeking I expect

I know someone just like this. It’s worse when she drinks. Much worse. So, so much worse.
She thinks/knows she’s clever, and to a point she is. She’s really book smart. Incredibly so. She’s very well read and has an extensive knowledge in things that interest her. However, she’s emotionally very dense. She doesn’t care or understand or perhaps doesn’t see when she upsets people.
She has a very constant desire to show off and postures at all social occasions. She’s very beautiful as well, which means she blows a fair few men away with her ‘unapologetic’ confrontation and debate (not really debate, as often people don’t engage). I’ve seen many, many men just freeze in total awe of her.
She’s got some fairly deep insecurities which I’ve seen and which most people wouldn’t even imagine her to have. She hides them, perhaps buries them.
So I’m her friend. And I am one of maybe two people who can and do tell her to wind her neck in. She takes the advice with good grace.
She’s an interesting woman. She really is pretty impressive.

I know you wanted whys and wherefores, but instead I give you another case study.

Well, I hope you haven't started this thread to start arguing with people when they make the "wrong" assumptions

@analyseme

Why do I constantly seek out challenge? Not like constructive challenges like 3 peaks or something but conversational challenge.

I purposefully befriend people of the opposite political standing, from a completely different back ground, surround myself with a variety of people who have strong views and when with them will seek to challenge their arguments.

It’s getting worse as I’m getting older, much worse.

I seem to enjoy leaving ambiguous statements and then challenging the responder when they jump to a conclusion. Just to insight a challenge, when I’m bored?

I’m sure most people just think I’m an arsehole but what is going on up stairs, why do I enjoy this? I’m never rude or heated or result to personal attacks even though most do get frustrated/result in personal attacks.

It depends on the type of people you "pick" to debate/argue with and what the subjects are.

Some subjects are more of a grey area rather than right or wrong, and they can make for some awesome debates.

Some people are more equipped emotionally,intellectually and academically to have robust constructive debates.

So it really depends if you go for the slim pickings.

Out of curiosity have you ever changed your mind because of these debates? Are you always on the "right"/socially acceptable/conventional side?

What was your relationship like with your parents?
How much attention did they give you?

How satisfied are you in your work?
Are you challenged in your work?

How do you value your persasive skills?

Interesting! I wonder if:

• You have a bit of a superiority complex and it boosts your self esteem further to see other people get angry and flustered while you feel sure you are right. (Was there sibling rivalry growing up? Are you the older one?)

or maybe -

• You are subconsciously looking for opportunities to connect with people, but are too proud / insecure to just be friendly for fear of getting rejected (were you part of a complicated social group at school? bullied / mocked by your friends?)

Were you listened to as a child?

Were you "allowed" an opinion?

Conversely, was this behaviour modelled to you or held up as intelligent behaviour?

Its interesting that you say you seek out challenge, not new information, so its not likely to be the case that you enjoy the process of debate. Think back over when you have done this and try to analyse precisely what it is you find satisfying.
What do you want to do about it?