True enough, but can you have hits without misses? Most new stuff will not work, but there is no way to avoid trying without also eliminating progress.

I'm of the opinion that science today is too conservative and gun-shy. Science needs to be more willing to fail, and scientists who pursue cold leads should not have their careers destroyed.

The fact that a lot of screwups occur on the way to discovery in no way ennobles screwups, except in hindsight.