New ideas in physics often encounter a predictable range of critical responses, which I have categorized as the Stages of Response to New Ideas in Physics.
1. Skepticism:
Healthy Skepticism: “I’m skeptical but open to seeing more.”
Dismissive Skepticism: “This sounds too outlandish to be true.”
2. Dismissal:
Ignore: “This hypothesis isn’t worth my time.”
Gatekeeping: “You need a Ph.D. to discuss this topic seriously.”
3. Derision and Mockery:
Belittling: “This idea is ridiculous and not worth serious consideration.”
Sarcasm: “Did you come up with this while watching a sci-fi movie?”
Name-Calling: “Crackpot”
4. Ultra-Pragmatism:
Practicality: “How does this hypothesis apply to real-world problems or technologies?”
Utility Focus: “Can this hypothesis lead to any new inventions or do my laundry?”
5. Narcissism:
Lack of Empathy: “Your feelings don’t matter; only the science does.”
Self-Centered Reactions: “This hypothesis doesn’t align with my views, so it must be wrong.”
6. Loaded Questions:
Traps: “If your hypothesis is true, then why doesn’t it explain X?”
Ambush: “You say X, but isn’t that disproven by Y?”
7. Mathematical Rigor:
Demand for Proof: “Show me the equations and mathematical models that support your hypothesis.”
Technical Critique: “Your math doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.”
8. Hostility:
Aggressive Criticism: “This is a waste of time and resources.”
Personal Attacks: “You don’t have the credentials to propose such theories.”
9. Appeal to Authority:
Credentialism: “What are your qualifications to make this claim?”
Deferral to Experts: “This contradicts established theories by renowned physicists.”
10. Anecdotal Evidence:
Personal Stories: “I had a similar idea once, but it didn’t work out.”
Non-scientific Evidence: “My experience suggests otherwise.”
11. Philosophical Debate:
Epistemological Questions: “How do we know this hypothesis is true?”
Ontological Challenges: “What does this hypothesis imply about the nature of reality?”
12. Defensive Reactions:
Cognitive Dissonance: “This hypothesis threatens my understanding of physics.”
Conservatism: “New ideas are usually wrong; the burden of proof is high.”
13. Conspiracy Theories:
Suppression Claims: “Mainstream science is hiding the truth!”
Paranoia: “They don’t want you to know about this because it’s too powerful.”
14. Empirical Validation:
Validity of Sources: “The sources and data you rely on are not credible or scientifically validated.”
Lack of Empirical Evidence: “Your hypothesis lacks empirical support and cannot be tested through experiments.”
Stages of Response to New Ideas in Physics
1. Skepticism
2. Dismissal
3. Derision and Mockery
4. Ultra-Pragmatism
5. Narcissism
6. Loaded Questions
7. Mathematical Rigor
8. Hostility
9. Appeal to Authority
10. Anecdotal Evidence
11. Philosophical Debate
12. Defensive Reactions
13. Conspiracy Theories
14. Empirical Validation
These stages can occur in any sequence or combination, frequently employed by those who are inclined to reject new ideas.