Scientists and researchers on Internet; how do you deal with family members/loved ones who tend to have strong opinions on scientific methodology and topics that they do not understand, often basing their opinions on the internet, rather than listening to someone who has had several years of training?

I have a bit of a scientific background, so I understand enough to know that I don’t know shit.

If someone reads a TLDR, but admits there’s so many details that can’t be boiled down into 3 sentences, that’s one thing.

If someone thinks they understand the details better than those that have spent a lifetime researching the subject, it’s doubtful you’re ever going to get through to them.

Always keep an open mind. Even with subjects you’re pretty sure you understand well, there’s always something new to learn.

One thing that bothers me is when those who should know better don’t believe what science has made clear. For example my grandfather is very intelligent, he’s an engineer yet he doesn’t believe in climate change and he believes that aliens have visited earth (I’m not saying aliens don’t exist because its possible they do but I don’t think they’ve visited earth).

This is very Boomer, my mom does this alllllllll the time, she is in her early sixties and this is very irritating for me.

show me your source and I’ll show you mine

I just call Citation Needed whenever they start spouting crap. Either they come up with something which I pull up on my phone and then use to discredit them in the very same conversation, or they try to change the subject, at which point I bring them back to their original unsubstantiated claim. Do this enough times and they’ll learn to hold their tongue around you.