I used to have the same issues with people’s ignorance as you do. The cure? Well, for me, it was having children. I now feel like it’s my responsibility to teach them to be critical thinkers, along with being compassionate, open minded, etc. Decent human beings, in essence. I have my 3 kids to send out into the world. That is my sphere of influence. That, along with teaching by example are about the best you can hope for on a regular basis. Now, if it’s something I feel very strongly about, and I do have any influence over the individual… it’s game on. For instance, I listened to lots of bigots I didn’t know during the presidential election and I didn’t say a freakin’ word to try to change their minds. However, I did convince my husband and best friend (both Republicans) to vote for Obama. I felt very passionately about it, and I confronted their belief systems in a very methodical way, addressing every objection they had with facts. It took a long time, and lots of hard work… even some arguments, but I didn’t let it go. In a nutshell (a little late for that, I know), pick your battles and win.