As a scientist, the first step in any process is to do a literature review. Read all the papers and protocols before you even begin to plan your experiments.

This is important, because you need to know what information actually exists, before you start suggesting solutions.

I've realized that the problem with people like Elon Musk (and MANY OF YOU ON HERE) is that you don't take the time to READ the field-specific research before appointing yourselves expert on the topic.

And it's maybe because you haven't been trained in the scientific process.

This is not to say that scientists are inherently superior, but I have found that the way we are trained shapes how we approach science and information as a whole.

You don't have to be a trained scientist, but you SHOULD understand and appreciate the essence of what science is.