Re: Some addenda...

"Although less common, this happens too when scientists speak outside their area of specialization."

AKA Nobel Laureate's Disease: the sudden urge, after receiving acclaim for organic chemistry to make pronouncements about global politics and world peace.

One should also note the number of "heretical" scientists who argue for Creationism or ESP interpretations of quantum mechanics whose areas of expertise have nothing to do with evolutionary biology or quantum mechanics. Its easier to be lauded for your "dissident" views of a science when you are unfamiliar with the science in question.

Dante