'Conventional Wisdom' and Academia

It might, and indeed should, be of interest for practicing scientists to wonder how and why some theories are
followed up while others are seemingly dismissed before being even properly examined or checked. There are
many examples which could be cited in order to examine this question but here attention will be focused on
three such examples – one from each of the last three centuries. A further speculation regarding how the attitudes
seemingly exposed in these three examples might be affecting modern ideas concerning climate change will be
addressed and several myths concerning this particular topic will be brought to light.