Thread by @egavactip

I think it's important to understand that for so many true believers [of whatever], it is the conviction itself that comes first, and then facts are selectively chosen (or manipulated) to support the conviction. Presenting an argument against their views will typically result in

https://twitter.com/egavactip/status/1466992623760125962

the person not listening or them coming up with a way to deny, rationalize or even incorporate the facts presented into their conviction. Moreover, it's extremely easy to do so. Sometimes their beliefs are ready-made for that (if you believe that the rest of the visible universe

is merely special effects on the underside of a large dome, it's easy to dismiss counter-arguments about eclipses, etc.]. And most believe in conspiracy theories about controlled media and "the establishment,' so they can always dismiss a reference as being fake/contrived by the

people trying to hide the truth. Trying to argue against someone using those tactics of self-deception is like the limbless Black Knight of Monty Python fame trying to fight someone. And just think how hard it is in general to talk someone out of strongly held beliefs--how often,

for example, are you going to talk a committed Baptist or Catholic or [whatever] out of being one? Sometimes you can reach people *very early*, although even that is often not easy. Otherwise, you essentially have to wait until the person themselves have experienced some sort of

"crisis of faith" through disillusionment, arrest, infighting, or personal experience that damages their commitment and makes them somewhat more open to persuasion.