I don't have the ambition to sort through years of posts from various members shifting their preconceived beliefs to what they believe today.
So years of arguments (classical), discussions, explanations, massive amounts if of evidence both written and photographic, and corroborated by lots others- has caused people to adjust or change their preconceived beliefs? “Beliefs” not facts.
Isn’t that the point of learning?
If one looks from the sidelines it's plain as day that some people take whatever you say as gospel and reject anything that may be contrary, they've even tried to mimick your unique vernacular which is very telling of of the sheep. If anyone can't see it happening then they're fully invested and I can't explain it through typed words.
Who takes it as gospel? You stated “tremendous portion of the membership”. If what you say is real, that is- a tremendous portion of the membership just take my word without factual backing; then it should be evident to everyone, and easily shown- you don’t have to sort through years of posts.
But, I don’t think you can show one person that is the case with. Anyone you you would show, I can all but guarantee you I can quote post after post of them arguing with me on some other topic.
If I say that my experience shows a pair of boots leak- I have to make a 3 page white paper with video post and explain how Gortex is laminated, just to get the constant “it isn’t real” comments to mostly stop from people that have never even seen the boots being discussed.
Doing what you are doing here, and that the people I constantly have argumentative discourse with do- claiming that people are appealing to authority and “that people take whatever I say as gospel” does not help anyone. All it is an excuse for people to not engage in factual conversations.