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Arguing with the anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers, flat earthers, and climate change deniers is a heck of a job. If you've ever tried, you’ll know what I am talking about.

And even though you recognize the fallacy in their arguments, like saying that masks don’t help to stop the coronavirus, you sometimes need heavy artillery.

Luckily, some people who know what they’re talking about have done everyone a service and stepped in to school the science deniers big time. From biochemists to sport scientists, these are some of the most mic-drop moves in stopping the spread of misinformation.

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Raine Soo
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never knew that a simple apple had such a complex chemical composition. I learn something new everyday.

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Pamela24
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my favourite tweets of all time (the second one, obviously). I hope to be one day this articulate.

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These days, when there are so many science deniers, it may feel like arguing with them is absolutely pointless. But a 2019 study published in the journal Nature Human Behavior showed that it’s in fact worth arguing with them.

Philipp Schmid and Cornelia Betsch of the University of Erfurt in Germany conducted six experiments with 1,773 subjects. They assessed “how to mitigate the influence of a denier on the audience.”

The results showed that “not responding to science deniers has a negative effect on attitudes towards behaviors favored by science (for example, vaccination) and intentions to perform these behaviors.”

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chi-wei shen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alan Turing was praised for what he has done during war time and condemned for whom he loved. That's the great tragedy of his life.

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Paul K. Johnson
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear God-botherers. If god drowned everyone except one family on the planet because they were evil then he believed that unborn children could be evil (not to mention all the born children). You anti-abortion types must really hate god for that.

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Facing deniers can be treated as a concerned and important effort to fight misinformation. The authors of the study suggest that “not turning up to the discussion at all seems to result in the worst effect.”

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Meanwhile, showing up on an acquaintance's Facebook post, even if you think it's pointless, will surely do some good.

Interestingly, the authors claim that science deniers use the same rhetoric across domains. It means that “uncovering their rhetorical techniques is an effective and economic addition to the advocates’ toolbox.”

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WilvanderHeijden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never ending story of idiots spreading a disease because they do not believe in science.

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Tovah Roche
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ones who believe in "God over medicine" are the worst. I have nothing against religion. I just have a deep loathing for people who believe God is a cure-all while not giving two shits about the people who suffer from their decisions. Then again, I am bias because this practice is how I, and 11 other classmates, contracted tuberculosis in high school.

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alwaysMispelled
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus F*****g Christ. I wish there was an Stupidity Test/A*****e Test to weed people out from Society.

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

GOD BLESS THE REPLIER... I saw kids BLIND FROM MEASLES IN THE US IN THE 1990s. I had to quit my medical doctor hopes/career. I couldn't hack the blind kids and the dead ones from a preventable disease....

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deanna woods
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She isn't measles, she's an idiot with red dots on her face and arms.

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Linda HS
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mother of God!!!! You f****** moron!!! Children are dying of this disease and you are parading it....what an imbecile. May karma find you, wherever you may be.

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CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish Karen’s like that would just stay in their box world and never come out.

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Marki Franken
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had measles five months ago. Almost died. Still recovering. Do you really want to take that risk with your child? VACCINATE!!!

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Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*sarcasm on* no, no, no, do you even know the risk of getting a vaccine? Bill Gates is killing children in Africa, and the government is tracking your movements with a microchip they put in you with vaccinations. Also, they give your children autism. *sarcasm off* Anti vaxxers, how the f**k can you defend this “logic”?

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Jessica
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that the meseals will kind of delete your immune systems little memory. also killed Benjamin Franklin's Son

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Louloubelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read the caption wrong at first. I thought they were going as a "scary" character for Halloween. Now that would actually be a good costume.

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E Menendez
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right? I did the same thing going "what's the problem here? Measles are scary and she going as the scariest thing she could think of- she must know someone who got measles, etc." Then I re-read the caption...

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random observer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is interesting, and a little generational. Though I usually think it works opposite to what this implies- she looks young. People a tad older than me think of measles as just something kids get, where I was vaccinated in childhood so I think of it as a terrifying disease of the past [I know it still exists] that I was spared. In turn, I think of chicken pox, which everyone got in my day, as nothing. I was surprised to learn it has long been a vaccination. And that it can be serious, and that many younger than me think of it as a terrifying disease that they were spared. So it goes. I'd love to see the rest of her original post- clearly she said more than just what's here or the responder wouldn't have gone off so hard.

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Anna roberts
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am 57, my mom and neighbors had Chicken pox parties with my older brothers (6,8,10 yrs older) I got mine in 4th grade, the neighbors ran out of kids LOL

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Karen Lyon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, can I b#$%@h slap her? Please? She's pregnant and doesn't even get the irony. I am old enough to remember how dangerous German measles was before there was a vaccine, and that pregnant women who contracted German measles suffered miscarriages. Dumb twit.

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Jennifer Sacrison
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a feeling that ANTI-VAXXERS had a hand in Covid-19...🤔🤔🤔🤔

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Ane Torine Myrhaug Bæra
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One could always argue that the reason she claimed that measles is the least scary thing she could think of is the fact that measles are nearly eradicated in the west due to the vaccination program. On the other hand, measles are on the comeback due to anti-vaccers like her. I bet she wouldn't be sitting so high on her horse if she ever caught measles herself. After all, children under the age of 5, and adults over the age of 20 are more prone to complications due to measles.

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TheExtremeSmell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like these were two separate things and put together for a likes. She probably said the most scary thing she could think of. Who goes as the least scary thing for Halloween. Also I think the post was to someone else - probably someone spouting conspiracy’s. Just a guess though.

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Carrie Roettger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope that's her post caption pic and all. She's a rabid anti-vaxxer and she used that "costume" during the measles outbreaks in Washington and New York. She's a willfully ignorant, classless waste of space.

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Hellybaby G
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the respondent sounds like a sociopath tbh (though we’re both playing hard and loose with the word)... but of an extreme reaction, may be its not scary to HER because she’s been vaccinated

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Asper Rated
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This woman and creatures like her are appalling. What's in store for next years costume? AIDS sores?

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Carrie Roettger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh lord her. Heather Simpson. A wannabe major figure in the anti-vaccine world. I've gone a few rounds with her and her followers. There aren't enough brain cells in the entire group to make anti-vaccination seem plausible. It's been awhile since I've been o FB but I'm sure she's still there telling everyone that she's being threatened and encouraging her minions to go after anyone who disagrees with her.

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Ellen Daniels
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This woman's post is horrible and incredibly ignorant. We can only hope she, herself, isn't vaccinated.

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K.Kobayashi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly would be terrified if someone came to our front door looking like that, even though I'm vaccinated.

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Russian Otaku
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stupid as f**k idiot missing the joke. All in all no one is scared of illness like that it's not overly obvious and threatening like a cliche talk dude with a chainsaw wearing a hockey mask

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David Ditto
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For crying out loud she’s just dressing up for Halloween for Christ’s sake. Get over yourselves already. It isn’t the end of the world.

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Anton Kider
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now criticize someone for having a Hamster at home (a rat, right? Spreading Plague around the world ..)

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El Dee
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3 years ago

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The death rate for measles, prior to widespread vaccination, was 0.15% whilst influenza (even though we widely vaccinate) has a death rate of 0.1% Coronavirus (in the UK) has a death rate of 14.9%. An average year would see approx 20,000 death from influenza and the worst year on record for measles deaths was 1941 with 1141 deaths. Every year has been lower and most under 100 (even prior to vaccination) Whilst coronavirus is new, flu and measles aren't. We say a lot about measles but flu is just part of life. Do we just accept it because there is so little we can do about it? With flu you could be vaccinated every year and still get it every year. With measles if you are vaccinated you are permanently protected, likewise if you have actually had it once. Our priorities seem to be in line with what we can DO something about, we are somehow 'accepting the inevitable' with Influenza? Measles was never a big killer & certainly as nothing compared to the 'flu and I've had both..

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Paul Macdonell
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3 years ago

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Just a Halloween costume . .. take it easy on her.

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Alex Bailey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She thinks it's the 'least scary thing' though. Why on earth should we take it easy on people who (usually) are deliberately ignorant.

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Daria B
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we should celebrate holidays of all existing religions, that should be given equally to all followers and non followers. Yay! Every day is a holiday! ♡

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Fish Boden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't believe that the idiot had 1.8k up-votes. Yowsers, so many dafties.

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WilvanderHeijden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol. How dare you debunk the nonsense I'm spewing on the internet with science? Don't you ever do that again!!!!

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WilvanderHeijden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if you'd put the entire flat-earth movement in a spaceship and circle the earth in any way they want, they'd be telling you that it's a trick with mirrors and projectors. But at least they are harmless and don't hurt other people with their nonsense.

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Scagsy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

President of the kick a*s roasting division of the IGF

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NavyDave
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, astrophysics aren't directly related to climate change, but you can expect someone who has a PhD in it to know à lot more than someone so unintelligent that they spell virus vIRUS and say that people who believe the truth(that climate change exists) are criminals.

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Mama Panda
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hahahaha I love it when people who have no flippin' idea who they are talking to make an a*s out of themselves. I always look up whoever I am in a discussion/argument/debate with before I make a comment that I might regret later. You never know if someone's background qualifies them to be right or not.

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WilvanderHeijden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

History is there to teach the future lessons. But of course, you do need some kind of education to be able to understand those lessons.

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NavyDave
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Calculating the amount of valence electrons in a nucleus is easy, since there are none.

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Raine Soo
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People seem to forget that astronauts are bonafide scientists with degrees in engineering, and other biological and mathematical sciences. DId they think that they were just a bunch of space cowboys?

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Raine Soo
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"A little knowledge (learning) is a dangerous thing." Alexander Pope

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The theory that vaccines cause autism has been completely debunked years ago. Did the anti-vaxxers not get the memo? It doesn't matter. They'll still believe rumour and hearsay over science.

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Tovah Roche
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone should probably tell them that Darwin believed in God and evolution simultaneously throughout most of his research years.

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WilvanderHeijden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More and more European countries make vaccinating mandatory. Unvaccinated children are banned from schools in those countries and parents can be forced to have their children vaccinated. And rightly so. Screw your "strong convictions" and "religious beliefs", our national health is endangered because of your b******t and we are getting tired of your stupidity.

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Csaba Hegedűs
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so sad to see one thinks that if their kids are momentarily healthy without vaccination, that's proof that this state will keep up indefinitely. It most likely won't. It would be funny to see their faces when they realize their mistakes, but it won't, because it would be to the expense of the child who'd deserve better.

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Cori
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I instantly tune out anyone who refers to grown women as 'girls' anyway, especially when they're talking about an educated woman in a high level position. I'm fairly certain this same man wouldn't refer to a male meteorologist as a 'weather boy.'

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EA
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell that to the families of women who died from cervical cancer. Including a 15 year old girl in the UK a few years ago. Plus it’s been proven that men can be affected by HPV as well so some are campaigning for teenage boys to have the vaccine too. Oh and it might not cause cancer, but more often genital warts and other infections. Who would want to be protected from getting genital warts right?! Morons...

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Raine Soo
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The issue, my friend, is why do flat-earthers believe hokum without question?

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