Mainstream scientists warn us about false positives, namely misleading claims for interesting signals that are not substantiated by sufficient evidence. Indeed, the job of science is not done when a signal is detected. The discoverers must demonstrate that the signal is statistically significant relative to the noise and cannot entertain mundane interpretations.
At the same time, discoveries often emerge out of a fog of uncertainty. They are flagged by anomalies that the risk-averse scientific community initially ignores because of the mental comfort of following the herd.
Innovative scientists warn us about false negatives, namely the dismissal of preliminary intriguing evidence that ushers in an important discovery. The incentive for mainstream debunkers is to minimize mistakes, but their attitude carries the collateral damage of throwing precious babies (signals) along with the unwanted bathwater (noise).
Scientific criticism is helpful as long as it recognizes that disruptive ideas are as vulnerable as newly born babies. We must handle infants with gentle care and respect rather than with aggressive moves that are commonly exchanged among adults. An acidic academic culture does not only kill bad microorganisms in the gut of science. It also kills well-intended engines of discovery at the same time.
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