The debates on gravity didn't involve non-scientists most likely because the results of the debate wouldn't have public policy implications and so there was no

The debates on gravity didn't involve non-scientists most likely because the results of the debate wouldn't have public policy implications and so there was no incentive to choose a side besides personal ego. I would assume that any scientific claim which results in a public policy change that creates losers and winners would create a very different kind of debate where scientists are subject to external influences and non-scientists feel the need weigh in in order to avoid being the loser.