That implies reasoned thought will never win out over the wisdom of crowds - was Pasteur a "super smart academic type"? By this logic commonly-held superstitions trump data resulting from experiment.
It also fails to recognize the experience of people who aren't in the majority. Many of my acquaintances would say the best way to improve safety for bicyclists is to outlaw cycling (I'm sure the less pleasant among them would support this), but we have the right to travel for a reason.
It also fails to recognize the experience of people who aren't in the majority. Many of my acquaintances would say the best way to improve safety for bicyclists is to outlaw cycling (I'm sure the less pleasant among them would support this), but we have the right to travel for a reason.