The International Geophysical Year (1959) involved massive studies all over the world for a variety of reasons. One of the outcomes was the production of sufficient evidence to demonstrate the reality of plate tectonics as the probable mechanism for changes observed in the Earth's surface.
Prior to that plate tectonics had its supporters, but it was not a required belief.
flat out admit that your absolute statement was an error, pledge to make efforts to avoid making such foolish absolute statements, and then we may proceed as if the error had not been made.