Why doesn't this apply in both directions? If BS from academia invalidates the entire intellectual community shouldn't Flat Earthers invalidate the anti-institutional science community?
>Both sides take a hit on intellectual integrity, except that intellectuals put a lot of weight on it so they stand more to lose.
Wasn't your original argument about what the public thinks of the integrity of these groups? I'm not seeing how that meshes with this comment. Are you implying that the public sees intellectuals valuing their own integrity as a sign of a lack of integrity?
When that field is “leveled” rhetoric becomes decisive.