How to be "the least wrong"

KEY TAKEAWAYS

All scientific theories are limited in scope, power, and application, being mere approximations of reality. That’s why consensus is vital.
When people commonly use words like “theory” or “consensus,” they’re speaking with very different amounts of certainty than scientists who use those same terms.
To a scientist, these are the pinnacle of our full suite of scientific knowledge: the starting point, or foundation, for any and all future discoveries, as well as any current discussion.
To deride a scientific consensus is to advocate the taking up of a contrarian, often non-viable position with respect to what is known with some degree of certainty. ... And yet, look around you.