Thank you, orion girl, for reminding me of 1 of my favorite authors, the late, great, funny Stephen Jay Gould.
1 of the things I love about science is its ability to change as more information becomes available. Better analytic tools, faster computers, more well constructed studies. Comparative anatomy then carbon dating & now DNA sequencing, still a work in progress. Look! Pluto, a new planet...well, maybe not so much...
It's kinda like that for our hobby too, we're still learning & debunking long held beliefs. More, better & comparatively less expensive equipment along with actual studies have really changed how (some) of us think. The internet allows us access to both good & not so good information where opinions can be supported no matter what you want to believe. The "rules" of an inch of fish/gallon, 10% water change/month (or all; or none) & pH is the only test you need are some of those ideas I still hear after 35+ years. Eek!
Mark, thanks for your walk down memory lane, fun & interesting stuff. Love the "rant" too, keep it up.