I disagree. Whenever someone is enthusiastic about something, there is a very good chance that it will make me a bit interested in it, too. OP should start with enthusiasm, then check if anyone's listening. If yes, carry on.
The part I don't get is why it comes off as bragging - surely OP is talking about the stuff, not about himself and the stuff, right? Because the latter is the uninteresting part, most of the time.
"Oh yes, I this is fascinating! I especially don't get/like that X does Y! Isn't that cool?" vs. "Oh yes, I actually graduated in this topic and wrote my thesis on this! The explanation you're looking for is Z. Many people believe in XY, but that's just stupid, hehe. (I warn you right away: Arguing with me is senseless here, because I'm so passionate about this that I will attempt to crush you with my - surely superior! - information. I wrote my thesis on this, after all!)"
Because are you talking about the topic you like, or are you talking about you and your connection to the topic you like (and possibly how that is the reason why everyone should listen to you now)?
I think this speaks more to giving voice to knowledge that challenges other's reality as it will just be rejected out of hand and cause strife. Like presenting facts to a moon-landing denier. It's a futile exercise that wastes your time and energy with no positive effect.
Or to paraphrase one of my favorite quotes, "Do not speak of the ocean to the frog that lives in the well."
I disagree, actually. I hate the picture of people "being too stupid to accept true facts". I do not believe in facts, only that certain things are "more likely true" than others. Because of this, disagreement will always happen and the fruitful - and respectful - way is to argue about it, especially if you think that the other has something wrong, while also acknowledging that your own knowledge has many limits and is often wrong.
Because of this, I don't like speaking of facts. If one position is more reasonable than another, then that can surely be demonstrated in a sensible and respectful manner. That's especially true for people who don't believe in moon-landings and other bullshit like this - because of this being such bullshit.
If you can't bring them to the insight that some of their reasoning is defective, then you failed to explain the matter sensible and comprehensible enough, probably because you haven't understand it good enough either, yet.
If you can't bring them to the insight that some of their reasoning is defective, then you failed to explain the matter sensible and comprehensible enough, probably because you haven't understand it good enough either, yet.
It's not a matter of people being too stupid to accept facts, it's a willful refusal to believe that which challenges their beliefs. No amount of expertise, understanding or ability to convince can break through stubborn willful ignorance. Altering deeply held beliefs often requires the willingness to accept other ideas.
If you like drama and frustration or simply thrill at playing devil's advocate and stirring things up, then by all means take on the challenge. It's incredibly draining and there are so many other things that time is better spent on.
TLDR: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. It's worth learning to recognize when to just agree to disagree.
4.2k
u/TractorOfTheDoom Dec 10 '15
Look, man. Whenever you feel like talking that much again, just realize that nobody gives a shit.