The Newton hypothesis: Is science done by a small elite?
I think they may be underestimating the interactions that scientists have with other perhaps lesser folks in their field.<p>For example, Einstein may not have been able to publish the special theory of relativity without the work produced by lesser known scientists such Lorentz, Michaelson, Morley, Maxwell, Grossman. And transitively all of those scientists were undoubtedly influenced by others who may be even lesser known or influential.