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Science being a social activity, I think you have to justify the presumption that we are talking about social trivialities here.

• wyager 10y ago
  >Science being a social activity Hoo boy. Research might be a social activity, but science is the application of probabilistic reasoning to evidence collection. Science isn't a "social activity" any more than topology is. Any social complications are entirely incidental.
  • elbear 10y ago
    Yes, but that probabilistic reasoning is applied by humans with feelings which sometimes get in the way of their reason. Wanting to have those feelings simply go away is unrealistic.
    • wyager 10y ago
      What does that have to do with calling out papers for being incorrect?
      • elbear 10y ago
        Sorry for replying so late. Your findings have to be accepted by the others. If they're not accepted it's like they don't exist. Think of all the great theories that didn't take off at first, because nobody accepted them (for various reasons). When you attack someone, they are less likely to listen to you, even if you are offering valuable feedback. They care about saving face, so they will focus on defending themselves. I realize this can be frustrating, because it means truth doesn't always prevail. However, it's what we have to work with, our emotional brains.