>I think that this bias of "revolutionary over incremental" might be holding science back in a variety of other areas as well.
I agree. Despite all the ecological issues with internal combustion engines (ICE), consider the massive improvements in efficiency in the last half and quarter centuries. Some of those were small "revolutionary" changes (variable valve timing, turbocharging, electronic fuel injection, direct injection) but constant iteration and competition drove up efficiency also.
We shouldn't dismiss significant improvement in better fuel sources because the step forward isn't a big enough step. Embrace any improvements we can get. Time is running out.
I agree. Despite all the ecological issues with internal combustion engines (ICE), consider the massive improvements in efficiency in the last half and quarter centuries. Some of those were small "revolutionary" changes (variable valve timing, turbocharging, electronic fuel injection, direct injection) but constant iteration and competition drove up efficiency also.
We shouldn't dismiss significant improvement in better fuel sources because the step forward isn't a big enough step. Embrace any improvements we can get. Time is running out.