I really don't think most people are confused about this - most understand science is a process backed by evidence. When people say "trust the science" they are

I really don't think most people are confused about this - most understand science is a process backed by evidence. When people say "trust the science" they aren't pointing to an immutable conclusion. Generally, at the level of lay people the science being discussed isn't even complicated enough where the process of inquiry is even terribly relevant - there's lots to learn about the origins of the Earth, but "trusting the science" on the fact that the solar system is heliocentric is perfectly valid outside of doing your own experiments. > since once people start treating science as Truth capital T, Woo backed by "science" (see every invocation of "quantum physics" in New Age shit) isn't new, and is not the same as the overwhelming consensus on the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine, for instance.