I don’t think it is, in the context of how iconoclast describes it, because they’re specifying that you need to deal with your opponents better, e.g through effective debate. A good debate is the only way to actually defeat your opponents idea, and you also get to show others that they shouldn’t support your opponents idea. Sometimes you lose from being inadequately prepared, but someone watching might be able to improve on your arguments. Adding insults into the mix makes people pick sides in a partisan way