[grovulent]

That's quite a reasonable, if cynical, reply.

To be honest I don't know how to evaluate the which of these two explanations of the scientist's behaviour are more likely.

I'd like to see some data on how much one can obtain funding by performing what is, given your beliefs, literally garbage science.

If we can establish at least precedent that scientists can attract funding on the basis of their projects that were (at the time, not in hindsight) - un-controversially junk research. Then your explanation would have the upper hand.

If we can establish a clear pattern of such rewards, then you win a slam dunk.

[physPop]

There is a large difference between well thought out research ideas that break the mould (which absolutely deserve a fair chance and funding opportunities) versus those that are diametrically opposed to our current understanding of well tested science. The EmDrive is not the former.