Or even better if you're going to post a wrong reply, post it in a patronising, know-it-all tone so not only does it convince people you're right, it crushes the soul of your opponent.

I recently posted accusing a certain company of using dirty tricks to con people and control public perception. To my surprise someone from that company was in the thread and he replied saying, "You always say that" and then lambasted me for being a crazy person with a vendetta.

But actually I'd never posted about it before. His reply was a dirty trick to control public perception.

He got upvoted to heaven and I was mauled.

Meh, it’s always how you present the arguments.

I think this plays a role, but it's absolutely dwarfed by what people want to be true. Or, maybe, they just equate any disagreement with the hive to being "dickish."

The audience also matters though. You can shout well-reasoned arguments into an echo chamber all you want, it still won't change anyone's mind.

Go to a random political sub and bring a well researched fact they don't happen to agree with. Be as polite as you can be. See what happens.