Final answer:
Konrad Steffen's lack of impression with Raymo's ideas or the glacier experiment likely stems from a perceived lack of supporting evidence and scientific rigor necessary for acceptance in the scientific community. Scientists often require rigorous testing and evidence before accepting new theories, as seen with the eventual acceptance of continental drift due to new data supporting plate tectonics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientific Disagreement and Rigor
Why isn't Konrad Steffen impressed with Raymo's ideas or the white sheet glacier experiment? Based on the provided excerpts, it appears that the main concern is about the lack of supportive evidence and scientific rigor. In the scientific community, new theories or hypotheses must be backed by solid evidence and withstand rigorous testing. When scientists discard theories, it's often because new, contradictory observations are found that the theory cannot account for. A notable example of skepticism in science leading to eventual acceptance is the theory of continental drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener. Initially rejected due to lack of evidence and a clear mechanism, it was later embraced as new data emerged supporting plate tectonics.
Science values thorough testing and peer review to ensure that ideas are not just accepted, but are robust and reflect the natural world accurately. If an experiment rejects a hypothesis, it does not necessarily mean the experiment was a failure; rather, it may have achieved success in eliminating an incorrect hypothesis. This is part of the self-correcting nature of science, where ideas evolve with emerging evidence and experimentation.
Thus, Steffen's dissatisfaction likely stems from a perceived lack of adherence to these stringent scientific methods in Raymo's work. The high standards set by the scientific community are crucial for the advancement of knowledge, enabling us to refine or discard theories based on the evidence.