Mangodance, I love your writing but have to take issue with your definition of zealots. At the front of every important social movement I believe were zealots. Folks so consumed with passion that they have very little patience for different perspectives. I am a Quaker and the Quaker abolitionists were crazy-ass zealots about the sins of slavery. They caused old Abe no end of trouble trying to negotiate with politicians of different persuasion as I recall. As far as being an important force in ending the practice, they generally receive a lot of credit. How many great scientists have been zealots? Your problem isn't with zeal, I think, it's what you regard as zealots driven by misinformation. The definition of misinformation can be a little subjective, don't you think?-
I say let the zealots speak (they're going to anyway) and pick through their thoughts for what might be useful. I love my zealot organic growing friends and have never been offended by their contrasting opinions. Everyone on this list I consider a friend, if only for their shared love of fruit trees- their opinions interest me. I guess I consider myself a zealot so I leap to their defence.