2) You should use his handle properly.

RL/ARRELL doesn't matter to me, my only request is that my name not be used on the board- for reasons I have explained over and over- I want google searches on my name to return my papers and work, not endless back and forth debates with lunatics. Most everyone here knows my full name so its not like I am hiding behind a handle.

3) ARRELL has an impressive education and work history in an area of applied physics (ARRELL, please feel free step in and make this more accurate and as detailed as you care to.)

No need to really go into details, most here know some of my experience in the sciences, and I also think most here know that I do not make statements on science issues that I can't back up.

4) When he hears BS, he calls BS. Loudly.

I feel that is an obligation to call people out when they lie and pervert science. YOU feel an obligation to speak out against certain things as well.

When it comes to loons twisting and perverting science issues I am loud and harsh- not because I think I am right, but because I know I am right and can back it up with a multitude of facts and proof.

5) Sadly, he is also an ah which detracts from his message.

Hmmmm... do not make the error of assuming my tone and style in dealing with the habitual lunatics that evangelize here reflects my tone and style in person- The last time I harshly chastized someone in person for spouting a scientific falsehood as fact was several years ago. Another physics PhD I worked with was making the argument that volcanic activity was responsible for the increase in CO2 observed. I corrected him quite harshly, told him flat out that he of all people should know better, showed him the data, he admitted I was right, end of conflict.

I have dealt with and tried to correct people with all sorts of pseudoscience beliefs - astrology, psychic powers, alien conspiracy theorists... I tend to take a calm and gentle approach with them and try to walk them through the logical arguments- usually they grudgingly admit that the logical arguments against their particular nonsense are probably correct... but I know most go back to believing the nonsense simply because they mistakenly believe its so much more 'fun' than the reality... and after all they can always go on the web and find countless loons out there ACTIVELY SELLING the nonsense to them in a nice seductive package. THAT is why I take a 'no prisoners' approach to the vendors of such nonsense.

I ask that you take a moment to try a little exercise in the interest of understanding where I am coming from.

Pick a subject that you know very well- something you work on, now imagine that a growing number of people seem to have irrational beliefs relating to that subject- beliefs and claims that are not just wrong, but make no sense whatsoever... Lets say that this belief leads people to come to completely insane conclusions about the nature of your work, beliefs that maybe encourage people to believe that youre part of a sinister conspiracy...

Then someone comes on this board and spouts that odd belief, you try to correct them but it quickly becomes evident that they are not just repeating the nonsense, they are actively working to spread it- in fact, you can tell by the deceptive way that they package their preaching that they are INTENTIONALLY trying to make the bizarre meme more believeable by dressing it up in jargon that makes it sound authoritative- they are actively working to sell a completely false meme to the public.

Maybe you try a few times to correct the falsehoods calmly, but the vendor of the meme paints you as closed minded, and only increases his or her efforts to SELL the lies.

Do you just let it go, just ignore it as the lies are repeated and grow, or do you take a stand and call them on the lies?