"A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it ...
An important scientific innovation rarely makes its way by gradually winning over and converting its opponents: it rarely happens that Saul becomes Paul. What does happen is that its opponents gradually die out, and that the growing generation is familiarized with the ideas from the beginning: another instance of the fact that the future lies with the youth."
— Max Planck, Scientific autobiography, 1950, p. 33, 97
If you have a big investment in Idea X then you are likely to defend Idea X. If you control the money then you may be successful in this. I thought BF Skiinner's ideas were silly but for decades if you didn't pledge your support you didn't get a job in that field.
"Academic politics are the most viscious and bitter form of politics because the stakes are so low." -- Wallace Sayre
There was always a replication crisis in science. This isn't something new. What's new is that people are more willing to challenge authority (scientific experts, researchers, academics) than ever before. A part of the reason for the increased examination of data is the advances in technology and data science - thus giving external observers the tools to enable them to question scientific research (even from 50+ years ago).
"A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it ...
An important scientific innovation rarely makes its way by gradually winning over and converting its opponents: it rarely happens that Saul becomes Paul. What does happen is that its opponents gradually die out, and that the growing generation is familiarized with the ideas from the beginning: another instance of the fact that the future lies with the youth."
— Max Planck, Scientific autobiography, 1950, p. 33, 97
If you have a big investment in Idea X then you are likely to defend Idea X. If you control the money then you may be successful in this. I thought BF Skiinner's ideas were silly but for decades if you didn't pledge your support you didn't get a job in that field.
"Academic politics are the most viscious and bitter form of politics because the stakes are so low." -- Wallace Sayre
I guess you missed the part about replication and validation.
There is a replication crisis in science, including number of scandals in the most reputable institutions.
Refuting someone else's bogus research isn't good for your career.
There was always a replication crisis in science. This isn't something new. What's new is that people are more willing to challenge authority (scientific experts, researchers, academics) than ever before. A part of the reason for the increased examination of data is the advances in technology and data science - thus giving external observers the tools to enable them to question scientific research (even from 50+ years ago).
I guess you missed the part about human bias, and BF Skinner.
Well written.