>I remember a time when I thought scientists were infallible, almost magical in their reasoning abilities. Then I read stuff like this and remember "Nope. Still only human."
Why would you think that?
Scientists are just humans that follow a methodology of inquiry (and keep tabs). Nothing more.
Sure, some scientists are super-smart (e.g Feynman) but that's because they happen to be geniuses, not because they are scientists.
They can also be stupider than the guy flipping burgers at McDonalds, not only in generic fields (he might be better at music than them), but also in general thinking.
Even having a PhD doesn't mean much. I've seen people I know getting those that are dumb as hell (being meticulous and methodological seems more of a predictor of getting one).
And of course the classic: sex, money, ideology, power, personal psychological complexes etc can make a scientist think BS just like any other guy.
Why would you think that?
Scientists are just humans that follow a methodology of inquiry (and keep tabs). Nothing more.
Sure, some scientists are super-smart (e.g Feynman) but that's because they happen to be geniuses, not because they are scientists.
They can also be stupider than the guy flipping burgers at McDonalds, not only in generic fields (he might be better at music than them), but also in general thinking.
Even having a PhD doesn't mean much. I've seen people I know getting those that are dumb as hell (being meticulous and methodological seems more of a predictor of getting one).
And of course the classic: sex, money, ideology, power, personal psychological complexes etc can make a scientist think BS just like any other guy.