> In short, you can't debate with non-scientists in the sense you mean. Yep, that's the conclusion I'm led to. In this case, it wasn't possible however: straig

> In short, you can't debate with non-scientists in the sense you mean. Yep, that's the conclusion I'm led to. In this case, it wasn't possible however: straight off the bat, for example, he declared that he's left-wing. I happen to be a republican from the libertarian wing of the party (we seem to be a dying breed of late), although I'm quite moderate. So the potential for consensus was small. The argument kicked off when he said "thank god Obama is going to get in power because he'll redress the excess of hardcore conservatives" -- which is a bit of a howler, and I took him to task for it. Now granted, I didn't back down, but nor did he! I don't see why I should be blamed for being rude simply for being better-informed. In fact, and my friend agreed with me on this point, at least I didn't engage in any underhanded debating techniques that I list elsewhere on this thread.