Awhile back, the Science Talk Podcast with host Steve Mirsky featured a panel discussion on arguing with non-skeptics. Famous skeptics, like Mirsky, JD Groathe, James Randi, and George Hrab discussed their encounters with and counters to the arguments of non-skeptics when debating scientific ideas.
First of all, what is a skeptic? James Randi points out that skeptics are not cynics. Skeptics put rational, logical thought to the questions of superstitions and pseudoscience including creationism, anti-climate change, psychics, homeopathy, etc. Basically, skepticism asks for the evidence to back up the claims made by people.
The panel, clearly all close friends, provides an enjoyable talk and some good ideas about how to debate non-skeptics: creationists, homeopaths, etc. I will cover a couple of the points they made and try to explain them for you.
Always be ready to debate. Debates over science do not necessarily involve a podium, moderator, and a stopwatch. In most cases, these discussion take place in bars, coffee houses, and the Thanksgiving table. Most skeptics enjoy talking and should be willing to talk to anyone about science.
Always be nice. Because these discussions involve close friends and family, you must remain nice. Talk in a friendly manner. The honey tends to catch more flies.
Non-skeptics aren't stupid people. I think this is the biggest one that I fall into sometimes. It seems easy to declare that people who don't know the science or believe in pseudoscience are stupid. Smart people fall into traps and become misinformed. I feel this way about creationism. The anti-evolution crowd misunderstands evolution to the point that they accept faulty information to support that idea. The real danger of creationism are the leaders to purposefully lie to confuse those on the fence (especially the kids). Anyways, people can exhibit rational thought in nearly every aspect of their lives and fall for various superstitions or whatever makes them feel comforted.
The panel discussion goes on for more, but I took the most out of these points. Too often, formal debates or TV segments feature a skeptic and a non-skeptic on even ground. Sadly, this raises the non-skeptic's non-science to equal footing of the scientist. It is important to talk about science with people. The American public understands very little about science and falls for all kinds of hocus- witchdoctors, voodoo, homeopathic medicine, anti-vaccination campaigns, creationism, psychics, etc. We should always be up for a lively discussion.
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