Good questions. It’s always been a problem but I’d say these factors make it worse: 1. It’s harder for individuals or small groups to make breakthroughs. We n

Good questions. It’s always been a problem but I’d say these factors make it worse: 1. It’s harder for individuals or small groups to make breakthroughs. We need larger groups and more expertise as well as expensive equipment to continue making discoveries. More hands in the pie make more gatekeepers and less risk taking. 2. In general our entire society is “circling the wagons”. I’m not sure why but we’re more tribal than normal. Science isn’t immune from the trend. I could go on. It’s a big topic.