The difference is that Elon Musk has not challenged scientific consensus by publishing revolutionary studies or conducting risky experiments, but rather by republishing inflammatory statements online. His actual achievements (including super-heavy rockets and electric cars) are largely independent from his unconventional views on vaccines, for instance.

You can't compare him to figures like Newton and Hooke, who made both their names and their living from science.

Whats his unconvential views on vaccines? I am not convinced he has any. Could not find anything obvious at leadt