dave on Nostr: One possibility could be that Bitcoin maximalists believe that their chosen ...

One possibility could be that Bitcoin maximalists believe that their chosen cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) is the one most closely aligned with their ideals and values. By using the word "shitcoin" to refer to competing cryptocurrency projects, they are attempting to denigrate these projects in order to make their own project appear more prominent and desirable. In doing so, they reassert their own identity, or "ego ideal" and gain a sense of superiority over others who use different crypto projects. The act of domination and control over others potentially provides some satisfaction, enabling them to feel more secure in their own beliefs. Ultimately, this could be seen as an expression of the psychosexual development theory of Sigmund Freud which suggests that individuals are subconsciously driven to identify with and gain control over certain characteristics, beliefs, and feelings.