Eli5: Why is there such a negative response to controversial topics in science, wasn’t the existence of “atoms” extremely controversial back in the days as well?

Question

Shouldn’t people research and discuss topics in a calm and rational manner instead of some sort of “you vs me” type of mentality?

In: 1

Answer 1

Basically because people tend to resist new ideas and concepts that are outside of their personal experience. We tend to be stupid and opinionated and if history is any judge, have always been so. It’s an important trait to resist, but idiots will always be with us. Science is not the new bible, it’s just a way of searching for and finding truth in the physical world…..sometimes we learn more and our understanding of the truth changes. A good remedy for stupidity is science.