this is absolutely true, but, what drives experiments are hypotheses, not just wishful thinking.

a hypothesis is "a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation."

it's arguable whether "is cold fusion possible?" is a valid hypothesis, because currently there is no accepted reason, evidence, observation, or starting point for that investigation. only the hope, the wish: "what if it was..."

Well, trust me, what drives most experiments is not hypotheses but "this is strange" results.

"it's arguable whether "is cold fusion possible?" is a valid hypothesis, because currently there is no accepted reason,"

I am not a nuclear physicist, but my chemistry is good enough to know that it should not be possible.

But take into consideration that Fleischmann was a pretty good chemist. Possible he fucked up. Looking backwards likely. But discussion is possible only based on date. Not believes what should or should not be possible.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleischmann%E2%80%93Pons_exper...

Exactly! I think people forget that physical "laws" are mental models, working hypotheses that need to be constantly questioned, tested against reality and revised.