Yes, scientific breakthroughs are really just breaking through the erroneous consensus. Historical examples of widely agreed upon ideas that were gainsaid by real science are the earth-centric model, medical leeching, the impossibility of aviation, luminiferous aether etc, etc
My favourite is Continental Drift. Alfred Wegener thought that the continental sheets moved but the scientific establishment did not. After some decades, Wegener died before his ideas were finally accepted.
I think it was max Planck who said that science advanced by one dead scientist at a time meaning you need to wait for "the consensus" to die before your new idea can be adopted.
Yes, scientific breakthroughs are really just breaking through the erroneous consensus. Historical examples of widely agreed upon ideas that were gainsaid by real science are the earth-centric model, medical leeching, the impossibility of aviation, luminiferous aether etc, etc
My favourite is Continental Drift. Alfred Wegener thought that the continental sheets moved but the scientific establishment did not. After some decades, Wegener died before his ideas were finally accepted.
I think it was max Planck who said that science advanced by one dead scientist at a time meaning you need to wait for "the consensus" to die before your new idea can be adopted.
One dead lab assistant, much as aviation advances over the bodies of dead aircrew and passengers.
Thanks!