How Do You Do It?

How Do You Do It?

DieselHorseLAW 11 May 2011 20:32

So I got in a little bit of a debate with my fiance's brother's girlfriend lastnight. She was maintaining her stance that there are no other suns in the universe, and when I brought up the size of the universe and the number of galaxies in the universe that hold a huge amount of stars she just tried to argue that the other galaxies and planets feed off our sun or some wording of that sort. She is religious so I don't know if that has something to do with it or not. The debate started over talking about ET life and whether or not their were planets that could support life like Earth and her arguing that the other planets don't have sunlight because they are to far away from our sun or something like that. Of course like I told her, the universe is mind bogglingly huge with an untold number of planets and that we have already found another family of planets around another sun. To think that we are the only life in this universe to me is quite ignorant. It was kind of like talking to a wall though. Lol. How do you get through to people like that? Anyways, I was just venting really. The more I learn in astronomy and science, the more I realize people around me don't understand. She tried telling me her parents were teachers, to which I wanted to say, "They must have not been science teachers". 0.o

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“In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane.” - Oscar Wilde

Last edited on 11 May 2011 20:36 by DieselHorseLAW Show more

Re: How Do You Do It?

obaeyens 11 May 2011 20:42

How do you get through to people like that? Anyways, I was just venting really.

You can't.
They invest so much energy in a believe system that they cannot afford that everything they put energy in it is pure waste.
Imagine that you spent all your savings and time in something that at the end of your life turns out to be a complete wast of your life!

What could help is make people think for themselves.
Sometimes I use a technique to confuse them in a discussion so they have to look up stuff and move away from standard mantras.
The trick is not to win the debate but induce elements that they have to look up and start to think for themselves instead of having to ask the question to a religious leader every time.

Re: How Do You Do It?

obaeyens 11 May 2011 20:44

I just want to add.
People like that are very vulnerable.
You should not take away their believe. You should replace it with something else that is equivalent but with more reality based and even better. It is a very slow process that could take years. You cannot rush it. It takes time for them to understand what you say.

Re: How Do You Do It?

Alene Y 12 May 2011 07:51

She clearly has absolutely zero knowlege of astronomy and the Universe. I wouldn't even bother arguing with her. She evidently prefers her fantasy over actual fact.

Re: How Do You Do It?

3WMElliott 12 May 2011 08:28

Damn, sounds like we'd have an interesting chat with your fiance's brothers girlfriend. It probably wouldn't get anywhere at first, but creep in bits of knowledge here and there and who knows.

The best place to do so would be on a clear night, outside, stargazing. Find out some highlights of the sky and compare what each person not only thinks but can show. Orion is always a good starting point:

You can think Betelgeuse is red because that's the colour God painted it (or whatever), or you can know it's red because it's a red giant that emits little of its radiation in the visible spectrum. You can point out Orions belt and count three stars, or you can know that two of them are multiple star systems, at least doubling the count. You can point out the fuzzy Orion nebula and call it a splodge in the sky, or you can call it the closest star forming region to Earth, where one day new stars will be visible there.

Whatever you do of course, showing it, or showing findings whatever will be stronger than merely saying it. And yeah, ultimately it may not get anywhere, but why give up so soon?

Re: How Do You Do It?

Rita Sue 12 May 2011 18:11

I agree with Shirebury. Not only will these arguments just be a waste of time for the both of you… But they could potentially start some kind of 'rift' in the family… Take it from me, this is the last thing anyone needs, lol!

As long as she's happy, what's it matter? Besides, someone like that may just dig their heels in the more someone tries to be pushy, or even debate the subject.

You can still be spiritual/religious and trust in science… I think the best way for her to gain knowledge of the known universe is to just come to terms with it and think about it on her own time. And if that never ends up happening… Oh well, astronomy and science just isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Next time she brings up the subject, just smile and nod, or smile say something like "Let's agree to disagree!" and quickly change the subject. Who knows, maybe if you two aren't arguing over that you could become good friends!

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"FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real" - Unknown
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" - Carl Sagan
"Your leftovers called… They want their tin foil back." - Personal note to doomsayers.

Re: How Do You Do It?

Suncrush 11 May 2011 20:58

Personally, i wouldn't waste your time.

At least she won't be worrying about supernovas and nibiru.