Here’s the thing. I decided several years ago I wanted to understand quantum field theory, so, considering I was a bright individual with a MS in Math I figured I’d just learn it.
I picked up “Quantum Field Theory for Mathematicians” and that was too hard. So I picked up “Quantum Field Theory for Dummies” and that was too hard. I bought some intro books on quantum mechanics; I was able to work out the answers to the questions, but I didn’t feel like I really understood what I was doing. So, now I’m actually taking 8 credit hours of intro grad physics at the University, and while no class has kicked my butt as hard as these, I’m finally starting to get it. If I can keep up this pace (which is unrealistic, now that I know how hard it is to take that course load while working full time, too) I’ll get through the intro QFT classes in another two years.
So, there’s the problem. It takes years of study to even begin to understand fairly fundamental scientific theories, and yet people come along, not even knowing how much they don’t know, and demand their opinions be treated equally. But there’s no way to communicate literally years of difficult scientific training in a forum comment, which makes it very hard for people to distinguish good and bad ideas. It’s a fundamentally difficult problem, not the failings of a cabal.
