I just tell them it's about facial recognition cameras (which is also entirely true). That shuts them up pretty quick, you can see them thinking after they hear that
BTW, you're welcome to not engage in unhelpful convos in order to spare your sanity. I can't imagine you changing his mind, although I understand that ignoring people isn't always possible.
Oh I was a hostage in this situation, I was at work. I don't mind dealing with silly stuff though, breaks up the day. And this particular guy has always got something wacky to say. His demeanor makes me think he's maybe always a lil buzzed or high or something, which would also fit with the fact that it's always his partner driving and not him.
I've had coworkers tell me he freaks them out, like they think he might get violent. I never got that impression from him myself. He's just one o' them cranks. His partner's a real chilled out old lady so maybe she's keeping the vibes in check lol
Its the breakdown between "aliens are nordic aryan angels who will purify our vibes so we can enter the age of aquarius" believes in aliens and "yeah the universe is really big there are almost certainly people somewhere out there" believes in aliens.