But making rationally sound argument should not be about winning.
This website is actually about making rationally sound argument. In real life a lot of situation aren't and it's often better to concentrate on the effects that the words you are saying have on other people than about whether arguments are intellectually sound.
Or perhaps, to reinterpret things Eliezer has said: This website is actually about winning.
I for one would rather learn how to be a better alpha male than how to be more rational. At least, for the next 10 years.
Really new to this site, I'm hitting a problem I've experienced in other aspects of my life as a student, employee and comedic performer: I'm extremely rude. I don't realize it at the time, thinking that I'm just being blunt, forceful and direct. In the sense that those can all be definitions of similar concepts, then yeah! Well, confidence in myself is a great asset, and I've turned it to positive effect, especially when I need to intimidate someone with a roguish smile and a calm, iron-hard assertion backed up by a blistering intensity (I sound like a Marty-Stu right now. Draco will want his leather pants back.)
But making rationally sound argument should not be about winning. It should be about accuracy, clarity and sanity. If you disagree with me on something I need to remind myself not to automatically fight. What good is being alpha when I'm ignoring my confusion and avoiding my embarrassment at possibly being mistaken. Not to mention that this is an internet forum, so limitations of the medium means attempting to look like a tough guy winds up hollow and sad, like a chocolate Easter bunny that's gone off.
Okay, I'm not one for similes, but I am one for trying to make myself more sane.