The theory of an Aether was used by several prominent scientists (including Newton) to explain the propagation of light waves through space. It was conclusively shown to be false by the Michelson-Morley experiments in 1887. The theoretical existence of Dark Matter, however, is supported by observational evidence!?

Physics and physicists have claimed the spotlight with glorious and spectacular insights, and the funding has followed the music.
However, if ever there were areas that urgently needed the global funding and global co-operation for really essential research projects they would surely include: medicine, pharmaceuticals, oceanography, climate research, neuroscience, geology etc.
And, given the current pandemic, what about a global initiative to eradicate infectious diseases?

I don’t think we need a compelling reason to fund research – it is the nature of humanity that compells us to to explore, to seek patterns and certainty, to find answers. The money will appear as long as do the questions.

Just as we feel a beauty regarding an elegant mathematical solution, and we feel a beauty regarding the evolved efficiencies of the natural world, does not mean that there is any rational reason for the beauty, symmetry etc., but it does feel good when there is.

The conservation of information (cause and effect) is a fundamental tenet of science (as we currently understand it), to abandon it would be taking a blind leap of faith into unknown realms of pure speculation. More like theology than theory.

My conception of reality does not change, as with a (quantum) leap of faith, to accommodate a new theory. Rather it evolves reluctantly, like hanging up a comfortable pair of old, unserviceable jeans as a reminder of the way it was, and wearing the horrid, stiff, blue, new ones in the hope that they will eventually become equally comfortable. And so the story continues…

I agree with Larry Bloxham. It is human nature, when our viewpoint is challenged by someone with a different perspective, to respond emotionally and rigorously defend our position. Later, a calm and rational consideration of the other perspective, enables us to refine, adapt, alter or abandon our previous understanding.