I have been trying to find polite ways to tell people that they are wrong.

[Old Crank]

It doesn't really help to say that they are lying, full of.... or a number of other things.
I'm not going to be too optimistic that these will change minds but they shouldn't lead to angry responses.
I was reading The Economist and these two popped out.

When some one has an opinion about something that you know is wrong. "This is at odds with the evidence."

Or looking at a problem using bad data. &quot your statement, or results) do not capture trends revealed by the actual data."

Just an effort to tone down discussions. Hope it will work.

[pwb]

1. Get the fuck out of here

works for me.

[leftstreet]

2. Sometimes the yelling and screaming is revealing

It takes a lot of energy for some people to tamp down their inner prejudices and hostilities

You make great points though

[SWBTATTReg]

3. I have found that often times, someone else has told them they're wrong...so usually, you're

not the only person that feels that they're wrong. This is not the coward's way out, it's just that others have beat you to the punch.

[Beachnutt]

4. Just laugh at em and

tell em to lay off the faux nuze.

[rurallib]

5. Middle finger with a blond wig and a pink pinafore ought to do it

[Old Crank]

7. I'm getting too old

to deal with any violent response that pinafore might elicit.

[MadameButterfly]

6. You'll have to use less academic language

or they'll just call you elite. These aren't policy wonks. But your point is well taken--point to evidence, data. Not opinions.

It may seem hopeless, but any inroads we can make...and you don't win anyone over by insulting them. As mad as we justifiably are.

[elleng]

8. Depends on issues and facts.

Be kind, and straightforward.

[pfitz59]

9. Demand factual proof. Evidence.

Usually stumps 'em.

[usonian]

10. Thoroughly modern me, in the age of big data:

"Too small a sample size"



and your dick is out.

MADE YOU LOOK.

[ZZenith]

11. I'm kind of partial to: "Well, I'd agree with you

but then we’d both be wrong.”

[Baltimike]

12. "I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong" nt

[yonder]

13. I like em all.

I have problems not pissing people off.

[Joinfortmill]

14. I like, "Interesting perspective". It's better than "Wrong"

[Warpy]

15. Try "who told you a dumb thing like that?"

It's less polite on its surface but it removes the onus from the speaker and places it squarely on someone else who's not present.

You get to make a clean getaway while they struggle for an answer that won't make them look stupider and have to reboot.

[bob4460]

16. I tell them,

I tell them, if you believe that I have to question your intelligence,Usually they do not know what to say.Although I have had one ask me for an apology after I said that during a heated argument. Lol I said you are dumber than I thought.

[senseandsensibility]

17. Thanks for doing this

I have trying to do so as well. You gave some good examples.

[Old Crank]

18. I like the

Interesting perspective.

Might follow with,
Where did you get that idea/information?

It is really frustrating to deal with people who come from ignorance and refuse to even hear something different.