Engage with climate deniers and anti-vaxxers, says science chief

This is the same kind of argument given by liberals about fascism. It doesn't work. It never has. Engaging with fascists, and climate-change deniers buys into the illogical arguments of the fascists and deniers. That's not how you convince people. Focus on the people who aren't sure instead. Increase your engagement with them because they are the 'swing voters'.

But of course, calling someone an 'idiot' is not going to encourage them to change their mind, it's just going to put their back up. Present a coherent argument in support of whatever you believe to be true - the need to do something to alleviate climate change, the benefits of vaccination, whatever. Take every opportunity to put the arguments out there, because every time they are presented, there is the opportunity to inform, to convince, to persuade... it may only work on the uncertain, the undecided, but you never know... it may work on those who thought they had already decided on a different opinion to the one you are proposing. If you cannot be bothered to present your ideas in a compelling manner, you have no chance of convining anyone of their merits, no chance of swinging them round to your point of view. What does the Bible say? How can they hear if there is no preacher?