The book "How the hippies saved physics" has some really interesting historical observations about the shift in academic physics from before WWII into the Cold War era (and largely from Europe to America).<p>The crux is that a physics of philosophy, heavy on theory, was largely replaced by a physics of "engineers in reserve" to be pumped out by universities as a necessary weapon in order to win the Cold War. Of course the weapon was fairly successful, as we saw physics pave the way for new applied engineering, computer development, and chemistry. But it's also true that the basic tenet of early-20th century theoretical physics---that of questioning the established narrative---largely disappeared in this era.<p>Now things are changing again, there are enough educated individuals to study every conceivable angle; there are mainstream stories in the press about special relatively potentially facing caveats like never before, etc. All in all it's an exciting time and healthy that debate is more full again.<p>The long established narrative in (especially American) academic physics that there is no questioning of quantum mechanics, and no use hoping for a deeper theory, is a great example of group think. Sure maybe we'll never have a deeper theory, but we should always try to find one!
See also this entry <a href="http://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=822" rel="nofollow">http://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=822</a> and its comments at Scott Aaronson's blog.