In "A Short History of Nearly Everything," Bill Bryson discusses the nature of scientific discovery, referencing a quote by Alexander von Humboldt. Humboldt suggests that there are three distinct phases in the acceptance of new scientific ideas. Initially, there is disbelief, where people refuse to acknowledge the truth of the discovery. Following this stage, they tend to downplay its significance, disregarding its importance to the scientific community.

Finally, when the discovery becomes widely acknowledged, credit is often attributed to the wrong individual, reflecting the complexities of historical recognition in science. This pattern highlights the challenges faced by scientists like Agassiz and serves as a commentary on how scientific progress is often met with resistance and misunderstanding before being fully accepted.