Question about dealing with flat-earthers and lunar landing deniers

[VWolf]

I've recently engaged with a number of folks on twitter who subscribe to various conspiracy theories (flat-earth, fake lunar landings in particular). I have come to the realization that nothing will change their minds, regardless of how much debunking analysis I present. However, part of me feels that I can persuade a few reading the posts to think rationally and reject these nut jobs.

My question is this: Am I doing society a service, or am I just wasting my time? Because it's exhausting and it's making me lose all hope in humanity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandolini's_law

[Wounded Bear]

1. Wasting your time...most of them are probably just trolls anyway...

[iemanja]

2. Walk away.

That kind of idiocy can’t be dealt with.

[NBachers]

3. I think people are promoting these lies, who have other twisted agendas to create imbalanced beliefs

I think you feed into their chaos-mongering when you try to climb onto the teeter-totter with them.

[ret5hd]

4. You fed the attention-seekers.

Now you must do penance.

There is a finite amount of attention in the universe.
You wasted some of it. You must atone for your sin.

Your penance will be: for the next 48 hours you will seek no attention.

Ramen.

[VWolf]

9. So it is said, so it shall be done.

Ramen.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Check out

Professor Dave.

https://www.patreon.com/professordaveexplains

or simply google, professor dave.

Or even flat earth.

Dave is amazing and wonderful. What you will learn from watching his videos is not only how stupid and idiotic flat earthers are, but how resistant they are to facts. Meanwhile. Professor Dave's videos are very entertaining.

Essentially, flat earthers have minimal to no understanding of science, and cannot be reasoned with. So engage with them at your peril.

[relayerbob]

6. Waste of time

Just make fun of them and move on.

[Journeyman]

7. Tell 'em they're right: The lunar landing was faked on the same soundstage they did Watergate . . .

then laugh and laugh and laugh as you walk away.

Can't fix crazy, can only ridicule it.

[SCantiGOP]

8. I think half of them are just bullshitting

It’s a joke they have on everyone else.
Or they’re crazy.

[VWolf]

10. Thanks to all who replied

I just started on twitter, and it was a real shock to my system seeing people post such absurd stuff. It took a while for me to realize that nobody posting there really wanted to be educated. I was only hoping to convince the lurkers. Oh well.

[Random Boomer]

14. Logic and facts have nothing to do with it

The trolls just want to wind you up, and the true believers are motivated by deep emotional need that is impervious to rational thinking.

[NoRethugFriends]

11. Step away from the keyboard. (nt)

[everyonematters]

12. As far as the flat earthers,

they believe that God created man on earth at the center of the universe, and the sun circles the flat earth. For them, admitting that the earth is round is like admitting that God does not exist. With a lot of conspiracy theories, people are choosing to believe them rather than admitting something else. For instance, admitting that the 2020 election wasn't stolen is admitting that Trump might be lying. They are choosing to believe the conspiracy theory rather than using rational thought.

[FuzzyRabbit]

13. Never Wrestle with a Pig.

Never Wrestle with a Pig. You Both Get Dirty and the Pig Likes It.

Flat earthers and fake lunar landers are the pigs. Engaging them on twitter or anyplace else is wrestling with them. They like getting you worked up.

[CloudWatcher]

15. Life is too short

It's best for your mental health to walk away and I'd suggest closing your twitter account too.

Btw this should be in everyone's bookmark list, from many many many years ago:



https://xkcd.com/386/

[VWolf]

16. Fair enough

I just thought I was doing a service to those on the fence, who needed to be enlightened. Perhaps nobody on twitter is on the fence.