Reputation is critical for building support. Scientists, as a group, tend to think that LOGIC is the ruling and sole credible force, but there is much more to success than the ability to manipulate logic.
The scientific community's overall capabilities are declining drastically. Pick any field of science and it is clear that there are still only a few "greats", thousands of mediocres, and plenty of incompetents. The creation of fake science careers similar to "nutritional scientists" has done nothing to enhance the general public's trust in the accuracy and dependability of scientific research.
For example, ask any average 50 year old man or woman whether he should eat butter or margarine, and you will be subjected to a long lecture on "I don't believe any of that stuff; They don't know what they're talking about." He would also say the same thing about pollution, evolution, creation, weather, global temperature mapping, drugs and genetics.
You probably think it doesn't matter whether the general public has faith in scientists, but you're wrong. As the overall reputation of the community declines it will be harder to get grant money and endowments. More worrisome is the rate at which high school students are losing interest in careers in math or science.
Furthermore, when it really matters, like when a very large hurricane is really going to hit a very low lying city, public officials will not order evacuations, and citizens--who have learned not believe in the science of meteorology--WILL NOT EVACUATE.
When bird flu hits, many will opt not to get vaccinated, because they do not have faith in microbiology.
It has been an interesting experiment watching the so-called FR "scientists" following the social cues of their leader.
Actually, the entire thread has been no different than the original article about 500 scientists giving a standing ovation to an nutcase that wants to eliminate 90% of the human race to provide breeding grounds for his precious lizards.
Followers will be followers.
Sheep will be sheep.
It's just a shame to see "logical" thinkers not really thinking at all.
I'll reply later.
Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
13This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
18Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.