Not really a small thing, but it sure does annoy me. I am getting sick and tired of conspiracy theory trolls taking over Internet forums so they can spew their ignorant, anti-science tripe denigrating the learning, hard work and commitment of dedicated people who have spent many years studying their area of specialty.

Climate change deniers are a particularly egregious example of this, but so are the anti-fluoridation brigade, the anti-vaccination mob, and all those who dismiss years of painstakingly accumulated knowledge and research because some self-styled ‘expert’ with dubious credentials is prepared to tell them whatever they want to hear.

The vaccination deniers are the worst of the lot, because they put their stupidity ahead of the welfare of their children. Vaccination is one of the most wonderful discoveries ever made. It can protect from, even eradicate, terrible diseases. Yet some people value stupidity and ignorance above this amazing knowledge.

This complaint, though, is about the trolls. Everyone should have a right to express whatever they think, but those of us who get tired of hearing their uninformed nonsense should also have a right to a little respite. I don’t want to have to endlessly debate things that have already been established beyond reasonable doubt. If you really think 97% of the world’s reputable scientists are wrong, or are engaged in some kind of vast conspiracy to deceive the rest of us, you are already beyond hope. So just shut up and let the rest of us get on with it.

For the record, I was vaccinated again measles, polio, and any number of other ugly diseases as a child, and against smallpox, yellow fever, and any number of additional diseases as a travelling adult. I have consumed great quantities of fluoride since childhood in my drinking water and toothpaste and at the age of nearly 73, am still in perfect health. I have never had a health problem of any kind, not with my bones, joints, kidneys or anything else. So please, trolls, take your messages of ignorance somewhere else. I am tired of seeing them.