(September 18, 2015 at 6:03 am)Pizza Wrote:(September 17, 2015 at 9:34 pm)Lemonvariable72 Wrote: The issue is that the creationists are already being taken seriously by a non critical audience. If no one challenges them they just spread their bullshit unopposed.
You're really over estimating the importance and educational value of formal debates. With debates I'm worried about backfire effect which is when evidence and arguments against people's beliefs cause them to become more convinced of their beliefs instead of changing their minds. http://www.skepdic.com/backfireeffect.html
TV shows like Nova, Nature, and educational science shows for kids are likely the best way to go for educating the general public in a non-argumentative way.
No what debates do is demonstrate someone standing up and saying "bullshit." That is why needs to happen here. Sure some will believe more strongly but it will also give us more stock to laugh At these people with. The problem with using nova documentaries and such is that these people dismiss them and as such will never watch one.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.