Try this counter: “Are you a linguist?” (No) “Well, I will still grant you and I both the use of language to communicate. Let us continue.” A silly argument to shed a silly light on a silly argument.
Or ask if the authorities have everything figured out in an actionable form (no) then let us help them out with our outsider perspective.
Or say yes, I am the very voice of authority on this topic but don’t be so ashamed and embarrassed by your ignorance that you stop now—please, keep lecturing. If they are swayed by the argument from authority then it is okay just to mock them.
Try this counter: “Are you a linguist?” (No) “Well, I will still grant you and I both the use of language to communicate. Let us continue.” A silly argument to shed a silly light on a silly argument.
Or ask if the authorities have everything figured out in an actionable form (no) then let us help them out with our outsider perspective.
Or say yes, I am the very voice of authority on this topic but don’t be so ashamed and embarrassed by your ignorance that you stop now—please, keep lecturing. If they are swayed by the argument from authority then it is okay just to mock them.