Science isn't always the final word, is it?
When experience disagrees, experience wins.
Science is never wrong, just scientists
Martin makes a valid point, it just might not apply on a homebrew scale because the bed depth is probably 2 feet at most for the large majority of us. Batch sparging on a 30 bbl system might not be so smooth and easy as homebrewers find it to be. In all of these discussions people need to keep in mind that the equipment itself makes a difference, not just the procedures.
Yep. I'll bet the first guy to suggest that the world is round was soundly thumped by his friends...but we know now he was a visionary! (Though maybe an ex-communicated visionary)
That the Earth is round and orbits the sun was known by the Greeks long before anyone was being excommunicated.