[Jonty30]

You bring up a good point.

What would be so controversial in physics that somebody would lose their cool?

It seems this professor goes beyond his stated mandate of what he has been hired to teach. That seems to give cause as to why he should be fired.

[TigersEye]

"String theory is obsolete."

"You take that back!"

"Yeah, and Bucky Balls are really squares."

"You low down varmint! Take that..." BANG BANG BANG

[FredZarguna]

What would be so controversial in physics that somebody would lose their cool?

The hell you say.

This is discussed in both posts #20 and #23.

Thank God Wolfgang Pauli didn't pack heat.

[Joe 6-pack]

"What would be so controversial in physics that somebody would lose their cool?"

Well, since you asked...:-)

Tycho Brahe

From Wiki:

"While studying at University of Rostock in Germany, on 29 December 1566 Tycho lost part of his nose in a sword duel against fellow Danish nobleman (and his third cousin), Manderup Parsberg.[12][13] Tycho had earlier quarrelled with Parsbjerg over the legitimacy of a mathematic formula, at a wedding dance at professor Lucas Bachmeister's house on the 10th, and again on the 27th. Since neither had the resources to prove the other wrong, they ended up resolving the issue with a duel.[14] The duel two days later (in the dark) resulted in Tycho losing the bridge of his nose."

[School of Rational Thought]

What would be so controversial in physics that somebody would lose their cool?

colliding atoms?