For the record, although I consider myself smart, I usually like to get substantive feedback (whether agreeing with me or not) to battle test my views, learn more and refine my presentation. I intuitively find this to be valuable for me and I seem to be addicted to debating with people of different points of view on topics I care about. I don't care about an echo chamber beyond once in a while reinforcing that random reasonable people agree with me. But I quickly want to move the conversation to stuff I am still battle testing. The thing that frustrates me the most are people who are unable to engage in reasonable discussion and yet are worth talking to for what they know. Usually they nitpick at things which should be logically obvious and ignore the main arguments. It makes me waste a lot of time.
I took a plane ride to Wisconsin for instance, for a three day conference of Christian apologists because they are hard to get a hold of online, and I had serious questiona.
I enjoy having my views continually challenged -- but I have begun to draw a line between those with whom I disagree and those who make me angry. I have less time for those who make me angry -- but I say that without judgement. I can't say they're arguments are empty if I refuse to engage them -- the most I can say is that it's not beneficial for me to engage them.
In terms of "people who are unable to engage in reasonable discussion and yet are worth talking to for what they know ... they nitpick at things which should be logically obvious", I would counsel toward assuming good faith on their part, and just not engaging them. If you'd like to benefit from what they know, it's fair that you should try to hear their arguments charitably and even entertain that what you consider "logically obvious" may be more cultural than logical.
I took a plane ride to Wisconsin for instance, for a three day conference of Christian apologists because they are hard to get a hold of online, and I had serious questiona.
Is there anyone else motivated by this like me?