It's a whole mindset and it is different than merely having a discerning intellect. Rarely are they going about actually tending to their perceived wrongs; they are too busy talking about it and pointing the finger of blame.
They love to hate; hate to love and are very happy to be unhappy, day in/day out.
Think about it. What would the Contrarians have to do with their time if they weren't upset? The answer is that no one or nothing will ever satisfy them. It just isn't in the cards and they choose to be miserable.
Anyway I think I fit that analogy that you gave -- at least it resonated with me. I may not have liked it -- it was like awful medicine. Good for you, but yuck.
It's almost but not quite the same wisdom as "A general tends to fight the last war.".