Display MoreMore Ascoli-openmindedness here
Ascoli65 said:
" In reality, most of the FF[Cold fusion} researchers wanted to believe things they knew weren't possible because it suited them and because someone else was willing to adequately compensate for these self-hypnotisms.
The number of scientists willing to back any hoax depends on the budget set by whoever wants it to be believed:“scientists believe whatever you pay them to believe” , as those who know it well said (1)
Ascoli is cynical and believes scientists are motivated strongly by financial self-interest. Something I note that you and other LENR supporters strongly also maintain.
So it looks like you share ascoli's open-mindedness in that respect.
I am sure some scientists can be influenced by money - they are human. But good scientists will have as primary motivation curiosity. In fact you have to be weird to become a scientist unless that is your primary motivation - the pay is certainly not great compared to what you can get in industry for STEM subjects! But the autonomy (follow your own ideas) and excitement of discussing ideas with others more than makes up for it.
Maybe the scientists you have met have not been good scientists?
So, compared with most other professions, you can expects scientists to be less financially motivated than typical.