@Demosthenes My personal sense of integrity I suppose. Honesty and openness of character are the two nobelist of virtues in my eyes, and something that I am happy to strive for even if it may cause me personal difficulty later.

I also have always had an attitude of "fuck the consequences I'll do what I feel is right". I find people are very guarded and it causes them to talk in a politicking way, that is, only half truths and a lot of political correctness. I find it to be what is destroying society and its getting worse as time goes on. Part of the reason is what you expressed that people are ready to destroy someones life over a difference of opinion.

So to me its two fold.. 1) not giving in to abuse and doing what is right regardless of consequences (integrity) 2) Perhaps my own success despite being straight forward and open about my opinions might encourage others to follow my example.