I think crash9 is pretty close. The way a good researcher makes his eternal credibility is by overturning a warmly held paradigm. People who embrace the status quo, a pretty good definition of conservatism, will be less likely to overturn the paradigm -- it goes against their core values. I sure don't want a buncha stick-in-the-mud, if-it-was-good-enough-for-gramps researchers. I want risk-takers. I want people who will attack the dogma of accepted perspective.

This is also why I would never, ever want an academic in a position of great political power -- I don't want a natural risk taker running my life. I want somebody niggardly with my life and treasure to accept the mantle of power.

B