Hey,

Thanks for the response.

"However don't you think it's a little suspicious that academics listen to practically nobody outside of academia?"

Honestly, not really :) Let me tell you why.

I don't know if you've ever been the position like what I'm about to describe. I hope it resonates with.

I worked my way through school as a tractor trailer driver (doubles, triples, usually with in a two state region.) Every once in a while, you'd get a friend of a friend, or a new student, or someone like that who would start trying to "talk shop" with you. They'd throw around some terms they think might impress, but it soon becomes apparent they've never driven a big rig or - if they have - only once or twice as a tourist. You can start to see the guys in the driver's lounge rolling their eyes, and deciding it's time to get a cup of coffee.

This is what I see so often with young scientists, or "citizen scientists." They've learned enough to play a bit in the margins, but when they start talking about their work - it becomes readily apparent that they really have, at best, a cursory understanding of the science and can't yet see the gaping flaws in what they're saying.

This is nothing against them. We all start there (I hope you actually looked at the Dunning-Kruger link.)

And when you're young and have unlimited time, it's great to spend some time cultivating these enthusiasts (I try to encourage scientific thinking on Quora daily.)

But when it comes to work - you don't have unlimited time and unlimited patience. This is why plumbers don't care about your opinion when they come to fix your sink. This is why pilots don't ask your opinion on directions, and why electricians don't listen to your ideas for wiring.

Granted, not all good scientists are in academia. Although, I will say the statement, "...academics listen to practically nobody outside of academia?" is a bit of your own bias. I currently work in industry (not academia) and my colleagues put out as many posters, conference lectures, and papers as academics.