I have a friend who often tells me 'bullshit baffles brains'. He then proceeds to prove the case in debate. It's very easy for one person to use facts to prop up their point of view if the person with whom they are in debate does not have the facilty to prove or disprove those facts.

I agree that facts can be used selectively to back up any stance taken. Not all of us have the type of brain that retains those sort of figures or the time or inclination to research the particular
matter in question. I have now learned to admit that I do not have enough knowledge of the particular subject to argue the toss and change the subject.

There seems to be a need with that type of person to be able to show that they are right. It's a sort of control mechanism, maybe brought on by a basic insecurity in their own ability? My experience has shown that people like that are unable to admit that they don't know something about any subject raised, which is maybe why they have to resort to garnering facts from internet sites. I've found, for myself, that if I admit to little knowledge on a subject I will learn more in debate and that allows me to formulate my own opinions and not those of the person who is feeding the information onto the site.