I don't know, but it may also be that the bench scientist is so close their work and passion that they are more likely to overlook or diminish the externalities

I don't know, but it may also be that the bench scientist is so close their work and passion that they are more likely to overlook or diminish the externalities, dangers and possible consequences of their work. While the more generalist types, the visionaries, futurists, and philosophers tend to have a broader perspective that leads them to provide stern warning. Isn't that how things go in so many technology fields? "Move fast and break things" pressure to deliver and money, reputation and fame involved in doing so are equally Ego-related and leading to biases that make on "laugh or roll their eyes".