> the uncomfortable fact that most people acquire knowledge through social transfer than through actual understanding

This hits the nail on the head. In the end, I am trusting other people to do the experiments and reporting the findings.

I can regurgitate a lot of stuff about science, but in the end I believe it because I grew on the scientist side of the fence. If you look at conspiracy theories, the thing they always do is come up with a reason not to believe in the established authorities.