We tend to idealize the individual endeavors of taking part in the scientific method. Far from reality, the scientific method usually works because it pits a lot of self-important nerds against each other trying to prove the other wrong, which is what allows us to get over individual biases, even if it sometimes takes decades.
I would even go as far as to say that we need the scientific method because it’s resilient enough against humans’ natural stupidity, provided we apply it well enough for long enough.
Old wise man vs crazy Karen… really?