> , being ‘pedantic’ is a pretty healthy trait for a scientist is it not?

Where did this idea come from? People whose only exposure to science comes from Mrs Brown in fourth grade? Pedantry like this is the opposite of science - the ignorant and incurious sneering at a legitimate question because of their mistaken and limited understanding.

Answer the question, don’t simply snigger at the questioner, especially when you’re wrong.

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