R.W. Hamming points out that there is overwhelming evidence that scientific transformation comes from outsiders, not insiders.

Archaeology carbon dating came from physics.

The first airplane was built by the Wright brothers who were bicycle experts.

“Thus, as an expert in your field, you face a difficult problem. There is, apparently, an ocean of kooks with their crazy ideas; however, if there is a great step forward it probably will be made by one of them.

If you listen too much to them then you will not get any of your own work done, but if you ignore them then you may miss your great chance.”

There’s no easy answer.

Just don’t dismiss the outsider’s ideas too quickly.