I've enountered people of every type who are prone to this sort of pseudointellectual piss contest nonsense. Ofc, every type's idea of what information is relevant to squirrel away is going to widely vary, based on factors such as subjective values, interests, cognitive processing, perceptions, & preconceptions.
[et cetera]
I just gloss over it, let'm do their thing if that's what they require to feel secure in some way. Unless it interfered with actually accomplishing something, though- but that's a rule I tend to apply universally in life, anyhow.
This makes me wonder though.
If packers are packing knowledge for (assuming) the use to show off or be pretentious, how could they possibly understand when to "show off" this information?
I think that varies from person to person. Those less socially retarded overall will be able to discern when it's appropriate to attempt to insert their impressive wisdom into a conversation. Some don't care if it's obvious and it more or less becomes another sort of display of bravado.
Surely to engage with others and mention or refer to bits of knowledge they don't understand would not work out. They'd use the terms incorrectly or at the wrong times or be flat out wrong in the topic they're conversing in.
They may understand it, but I often find people like this don't have as firm a grasp on the information as they attempt to illustrate--- However, they still can pull off 'sounding smart' - which is the bluff they're hoping to use, in some situations.
Take for instance, someone
generally interested in the same topic as the information hoarder- that individual strikes up a conversation about the mutual interest, sharing what general data they've learned about it-- only to be suffocated by the torrent of topic-related jargon spewing forth from the hoarder.
It's a no-contest scenario (oftentimes the other individual simply wants to share/compare notes- the notion of a contest at all doesn't cross their mind), & it's an immediate sort of 'one-upmanship' -- the sort of tactic used by someone who isn't interested in debate with others who may/not be as familiar [or more] with the material--- this type of person seeks an instant 'win,' placing the hoarder on a comparably high pedestal that won't likely be questioned by the parties present, thus boosting their frightened ego, & creating a cardboard shield of bs impressiveness.
I secretly enjoy listening to conversations of this nature that I might overhear among groups of strangers in a bar or diner. We sure do some silly stuff to feel 'safe.' [I've certainly got my own binds, so I suppose I'm not exempt, either]