you can do both quite easily. i think being edgy/cynical (with truth) can be quite valuable to ppl even if it doesn’t feel nice. it is one of the easiest ways to seek criticism, which is important. i would much rather an intelligent person be (what i perceive as) an unprovoked asshole to me and very directly point out fundamental flaws in my thinking, than not. i can also have an ardent belief in myself or my priors and ignore it. i believe incessant niceness and avoiding offending ppl is too common atm, which sends lots of ppl down fruitless paths.