The Defense of the (Dis)Cussed

I have a habit — or even an unconscious desire — to take the opposite stance of my interlocutor’s viewpoint during any conversation. Especially when it comes to discussing (or even judging) someone behind their back, when they, for obvious reasons, cannot object.

At the same time, I may or may not agree with the position I’m "defending" — but I still present counterarguments to the other person’s point of view. And perhaps this is a good skill to have: the ability to adapt, switch perspectives, and look at a situation from a different angle. The word "adapt" might make it sound like I don’t have my own opinion, but that’s not the case. More often than not, there is truth on both sides.

Otherwise, what kind of conversation or deep dive into a topic would it be if everyone just agrees with each other?

The truth always lies somewhere in the middle.