Carl Sagan would agree. In his book The Demon Haunted World he explains science in very similar terms as you. He also gives examples of primitive humans doing science.

Thank you!

But is he doing research? Has he read on the Cosmological Principle? Maybe some reading on what standard deviation (5.2σ on this paper) is and what it means to things being naturally random? How about reading the original paper? The Discussion section makes it very, very clear how the scientists reached the conclusion and how the Big Ring is statistically significant -- and in the process literally answering OP's question.

> Not a professional one in the field, sure. But scientist? Most assuredly.

Of course he's not a professional scientist!!!

To be one you have to partake in academic politics, with its legendarily low stakes, in a publish or perish environment ... for little more than minimum-wage.