> However, this process advantages incumbent theories over challengers for a number of reasons, including confirmation bias, social proof, ideological complacen

> However, this process advantages incumbent theories over challengers for a number of reasons, including confirmation bias, social proof, ideological complacency, and the vested interests of scientists whose reputations and even sense of self are tied to existing theories. A consequence is scientific inertia, where weak or ill-founded theories take on a life of their own, sometimes even gaining momentum despite evidence that puts their veracity in doubt. A wonderful, concise summary of some of the human obstacles to the progress of ideas, theories, stories and models about people and the world, scientific in nature or not.