Are Laypeople and Hobbyists Qualified to Dismiss Scientific Ideas?

[WarPhalange]

After reading this article:

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080617-st-dark-matter.html

I started reading the comments. I just had to cringe on a lot of them (starting at the 2nd page, really). I don't really read science magazines, especially online when I can view comments. Are most laypeople like that? Where they have a weak grasp of something and still feel the are qualified to dismiss some ideas, or create new ones? Is there anything that can be done to stop that...?

 

[lisab]

That's just why PF is such an oasis :!) !

 

[tmc]

Of course there's something you can do to stop it

http://xkcd.com/386/

 

[cristo]

Sure they are. Everyone has an opinion on things, even stupid people!

 

[Ms Music]

Unfortunately, the stupid people breed more than the intelligent people.

 

[hypatia]

Unfortunately, the stupid people breed more than the intelligent people.

LOL, I've noticed that.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Where they have a weak grasp of something and still feel the are qualified to dismiss some ideas, or create new ones? Is there anything that can be done to stop that...?

One way to stop them from feeling qualified is to browbeat them whenever they create ideas.

 

[WarPhalange]

Then I feel like an arrogant jerk.

How do I tell someone they are stupid without hurting their feelings? Do I talk really slowly or use baby words or something?

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

How do I tell someone they are stupid without hurting their feelings? Do I talk really slowly or use baby words or something?

They aren't stupid. They are ignorant. Educate them.

 

[Chi Meson]

I liked this post, from the second page:

Whatout the Dark Matter, life would not exrit.

I have long ago given up on arguing science with people who have already decided that they (alone) have figured out that everyone else has gotten it wrong. I often tell them:

"Lasers work."

 

[WarPhalange]

They aren't stupid. They are ignorant. Educate them.

With a hammer?

 

[LightbulbSun]

I liked this post, from the second page:


I have long ago given up on arguing science with people who have already decided that they (alone) have figured out that everyone else has gotten it wrong. I often tell them:

"Lasers work."

The useful factor doesn't seep into them properly. Truth has to be fun, not useful!