Why we interact as we do, on social media… and elsewhere

In social media, and for that matter, all modes of social interaction, when conversations become contentious is because we are willfully projecting the expressions of others so as to display and maintain the narrative through which we are currently defining ourselves. Because whatever persona or identity we take on only exists in relation to that of another, through our taking on personalities, we instinctively seek out those whose presence and self-expression can be seized on to play the game of “this is me and that is you“. It isn’t necessarily always through provoking contentiousness, it can also be mutual admiration of each other’s narratives. But the point is always to receive recognition as being the narrative that is being displayed.