> failing to learn from elementary criticisms Well, the ability to conform to the conventional wisdom of the field isn't necessarily a skill which promotes sci

> failing to learn from elementary criticisms Well, the ability to conform to the conventional wisdom of the field isn't necessarily a skill which promotes scientific progress. You know what skill does? The ability to ask the right question. And Dr. Loeb asked himself, "hmm....could I collect material from an interstellar meteorite if I trawl the seabed with a magnetic sled?" Now I think that is a pretty good question. The answer may be "Yes" or the answer may be "No". But either way, it's a great question, which apparently nobody else asked, let alone put in the effort to raise money and try to answer. And it would be a shame if such questions weren't asked for fear of being bullied. Alas, really, the only way we know of asking the right question is to ask a lot of questions, most of which will be the wrong question :-( We tend not to emphasize this fact, but everyone who ever made a breakthrough has asked an endless amount of stupid questions. But if you don't have the courage to look dumb, you'll never get anywhere.