In "A Short History of Nearly Everything," Bill Bryson emphasizes that the debate surrounding scientific understanding often oversimplifies complex issues. He argues that both sides of contentious debates tend to force science into rigid categories, which can undermine its true nature and findings.
Bryson suggests that reality is typically more nuanced than what is presented by either camp in scientific discussions. This highlights the importance of remaining open to different perspectives and recognizing that science is a continually evolving field, not easily confined to binary notions.