"If you can't explain something in simple terms, you don't understand it." - Richard Feynman
Experts deeply understand their subject, and tailor answers to meet the audience where they're at. If you express genuine interest in someone's passion, they'll be ecstatic. That's what the OP is talking about. It's not about how experts (or anyone) interacts with belligerent and dismissive interlocutors. And observing teaching moments is just one aspect of a larger smell test for detecting imposters. I think it's a good heuristic within that scope!
Experts deeply understand their subject, and tailor answers to meet the audience where they're at. If you express genuine interest in someone's passion, they'll be ecstatic. That's what the OP is talking about. It's not about how experts (or anyone) interacts with belligerent and dismissive interlocutors. And observing teaching moments is just one aspect of a larger smell test for detecting imposters. I think it's a good heuristic within that scope!