My favorite line from Reddick in that article is when he is explaining the basis for his dinosaur skepticism, and he starts out with: “I’ve come across some weird websites in my Google searches.”
That sentence is absolutely perfect! We’re one sentence in to his argument and the train has already gone completely off the rails. I can’t think of a more effective way to eviscerate your own credibility in just 10 words.
Let’s say you’re at your doctor’s office. . .
YOU: So doc, I’ve got this cough that doesn’t seem to be going away. What do you think?
DOCTOR: Well, I’ve come across some weird websites in my Google searches. . . .
You’re not waiting around to hear any more. You’re already out the door. Or let’s put that sentence in a courtroom context:
JUDGE: Counselor, what is the legal authority for your argument that your client had no duty of care to the plaintiff?
LAWYER: Well, your honor, I’ve come across some weird websites in my Google searches . . .
That lawyer is getting hit with a contempt charge!
The fact that the sentence is the opening salvo in an argument that dinosaurs aren’t real is just the icing on the cake.