This is exactly my problem with people like this, and in this field (STEM) there are assuredly no shortages of them... It is very rare to find someone speaking with good intent in my experience, at least in the younger twenty-something crowd popular with startups - if they have something to say, it is almost always to one-up someone else. Entertaining this is not worth anyone's time, and its pervasiveness is part of why I've all but given up on having a professional presence whatsoever.
I hope in the long run you will have a full life which includes a professional presence. People who need to one-up others instead of authentically listening definitely grind us down -- We can talk further about this in a PM if you like.if they have something to say, it is almost always to one-up someone else.
There's no question that people communicate badly. I can see how their behaviour might lead to this: its pervasiveness is part of why I've all but given up on having a professional presence whatsoever.