Some very smart people mistake being pedantic for being smart. It's very easy to join a "conversation" by picking up a pedantic point. Compare that to arguing

Some very smart people mistake being pedantic for being smart. It's very easy to join a "conversation" by picking up a pedantic point. Compare that to arguing over the fundamentals which actually requires some knowledge and experience. By being pedantic it's very easy to "win" an argument, you're entering with a position you consider factually correct. It's not at all productive as you indicate, and actually harms more productive conversation by de-railing the conversation.