The “beat them at ideas” sentiment is based on objectively false assumptions, such as:
1. The truest/best idea will be the most popular. History tells us that myths spread faster than truth, and that truth is violently rejected at first. (germ theory)
2. The minds capable of imagining the truest/best ideas are also great & witty debaters. Quite the opposite, many such minds are neurodivergent, or introverted, and have a hard time communicating big ideas to “typical” peers.
This silly argument usually comes from people who look like me, and who think that the loudest voice wins any argument. They’re the ones stinking up every team meeting with their objectively noxious opinions.
Which is precisely why they promote this “marketplace of ideas”. It is to their advantage, as they are the screamers.