A couple of things: Science is not the same as engineering. Engineering requires a balance between performance, reliability, cost, etc. I don't think the paral

A couple of things: Science is not the same as engineering. Engineering requires a balance between performance, reliability, cost, etc. I don't think the parallel to paradigm shifts in science is a very good one. There is a lot of wisdom behind listening to people with a proven track record over cocky youth. The people with experience are typically a lot better at striking an effective balance, even if the data suggests that some great new innovation will benefit one characteristic. Of course it was not stupid for scientists to move beyond old theories. But the scientists with new theories almost always learned from and worked with the previous generation and then moved beyond them, rather than criticizing the character and competence of the old guard. My main point was simply that if you adopt the same tone with the people who "look down" on you as you did in your original comment, I am not surprised that you don't get any respect.