A contrarian rejects popular opinion, not to be antagonizing, but in an effort to show that group think may be off slightly. It is more an argument about what m

A contrarian rejects popular opinion, not to be antagonizing, but in an effort to show that group think may be off slightly. It is more an argument about what may be right (or what is dogmatic), than just being difficult to be difficult. People who are difficult to be difficult are just assholes. Contrarians frequently get put in that bucket, but have different motives. Keep in mind the term is used a lot in investment. For example, stating children should go back to school this fall works within "popular" demand or belief that masks are a solution to spread. A contrarian would indicate an abundance of caution about what is yet to be known about how this is spread, and that perhaps masks don't exactly work the way we think they do. Holding a contrary view that masks don't work doesn't make someone an asshole, but it could be viewed that way if the ones who disagree are unable to come to a conclusion contrary to that view based on empirical evidence, and not overwhelming abundance of popular opinion based on irrational understanding.