re: #35 dangerman

Yesterday was that thing with Bannon
we talked a bit about it

I’ve ranted
This is my shameless plug

Do not legitimize crackpots

Bravo. One upfist from me.

One nit to pick: Engaging a crackpot should not have the goal of changing the crackpot’s mind. As noted by atheists in arguments with creationists, you cannot reason someone out of a position they reasoned themselves into, even if their reasoning is flawed.

The point of engaging crackpots with evidence is almost like a vaccine: It is to prevent others, who may not have heard the crackpot’s arguments, from becoming crackpots themselves.