The Centre for Irresponsible Nanotechnology takes time off from fretting about nanospam and quotes J.S. Haldanes four steps that scientific theory goes through:
1) This is worthless nonsense;
2) This is an interesting, but perverse, point of view;
3) This is true, but quite unimportant;
4) I always said so
It is worth remembering that progress through the stages is not inevitable. MNT has been at stage one for almost 20 years now – a remarkable period of time given the accelerating pace of technological change.
May we suggest a modification, one familiar to every scientist:
1a) Revaluate and test the theory.