The reason that I prefer `=== true` is because it makes it easier to read and understand the code, which in turn makes it easier to maintain and debug it. If I see `if (this._dragging)`, I have to figure out what it means ... Does it mean: "I have a method called `this._dragging()`, but I'm not sure if it's been defined yet!" Or does it mean: "I have an string stored in `this._dragging`, but I'm not sure whether it's empty or not!" Or does it mean: "I have a boolean stored in `this._dragging`, but I'm not sure whether it's true or false!" You cannot tell, you have to spend time and mental energy trying to figure it out.

I don't deny that `=== true` is "less concise", by eight characters. But the purpose of writing concisely is not to conserve pixels, but to allow readers to understand the code at a glance. Writing concisely is not a goal in itself, but a means to an end (bug-free and easily-maintainable code). If deleting eight characters makes the code more ambiguous, then we shouldn't delete the characters. I think that your argument is just as silly as saying "We should replace `var overlap` by `var o` because it's more concise".