Should Flat-Earthers be debated or ignored?

[downbeatplumb]

There is a school of thought that says we should engage with Flat-Earthers in order to bring these conversations out into the open and not push FEers to the "fringes" of society, so to sepak.

There is another idea that these people are holding fixed beliefs that will never change in the fact of evidence or reason.

After having very few, but intense, interactions ith flat-earthers, I've ultimately decided that these conversations are not worth having. I think that some people are prone to conspiracy and will shout conspiracy no matter what happens, where it happens or who is involved. I think having some sort of ominous group to blame for the bad things that happen in the world gives some people a strange sense of comfort.

What do you guys think and why?

In my option you should always have discussions with anyone that's willing to have them. It prevents you from becoming stuck in your way of thinking and can expose misconceptions you may have about the world. For example, I had no idea most images of the Earth are just composites if it weren't for flat-earthers. Had I dismissed them as ignorant I would have prevented myself from learning an important bit of information.

I also think it's wrong to generalize individuals. Just because you've had two conversations that led nowhere does not mean the third one shouldn't be had. It's a failed heuristic that should be disposed of when recognized.

Flat earthers can be safely discounted as ignorant because they are.

Have you even heard their "best" argument, the there is no such thing as bendy water argument. I kid you not.