## I would like some other opinions on this.

* Author: u/None *
* URL: 
* Score: 0

* Created: 2017-06-20T19:49:46

### Post:

[removed]

### Comments:

> **u/pedanterrific** [+6]  (23 minutes later)
> 
> Changing the textbooks gains them money because now everyone has to buy new textbooks from them. That's why practically all textbooks come out with new editions every year, even if nothing substantive changes at all. 
> 
> Has your friend ever been to college?

> **u/DaystarEld** [+2]  *Pokémon Professor* (36 minutes later)
> 
> So this isn't really the point of this subreddit, and generally I'd suggest posting questions like this to Off Topic threads or the discord general chat channel :)
> 
> But it sounds like your friend just has poor epistemology regarding what he believes and why. From your below post, it sounds like he's basically a conspiracy theorist, and that's a worldview that's hard to change because it relies on distrust of "official" sources of data or research.
> 
> What you can try doing is asking him what would change his mind. If he can't come up with anything, there's your answer: his beliefs aren't based on falsifiable argument or evidence If he cites something that can be proven, try focusing on that. If he cites something outlandish and nearly impossible to demonstrate, examine his other beliefs and ask why he doesn't hold them to the same standard. 
> 
> Or other conspiracies for that matter. Is he a global warming denier? Is he a moan landing hoaxer? If not, why not? Draw parallels.

>> **u/None** [+1]  (2 hours later)
>> 
>> [deleted]

>>> **u/DaystarEld** [+1]  *Pokémon Professor* (3 hours later)
>>> 
>>> >although he thinks the moon is hollow, citing a report that it rang like a bell.
>>> 
>>> ...Does he not believe in our understanding of gravity? :P
>>> 
>>> >  I don't think reason is a method to reach him after talking with him on other subjects.
>>> 
>>> Sad but valuable thing to realize about some people, when deciding how much effort is worth putting into trying to challenge their beliefs. Hopefully someday that changes.

> **u/None** [+1]  (7 minutes later)
> 
> [deleted]

>> **u/narfanator** [+2]  (an hour later)
>> 
>> He's paying more attention to the controversy than the reality; ergo, he's more interested in the controversy than the reality.

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