>> If you continue to make fabulous photos of the moon and stars, you're
>> OK in my book.
>>
> Thank you. I need a bigger lens though....
> 
> I do still like science; I respect scientists and pay attention to what
> they tell me; but not having trained as a scientist I've never developed
> that rigorous attitude to problem-solving and do tend to fall back on
> gut feelings sometimes. Hell, I'm a lay person - I'm allowed!
> 
> ally

We are only rigorous when we do experiments. Others will pick up our 
procedural mistakes and crucify us if need be if we aren't. But a lot of 
day-to-day science (that is not apparent to non-scientists) involves very 
friendly almost social gatherings not unlike a coffee morning among 
anyone. We talk through ideas and problems we need to work on. You'd fit 
right in. Some of the larger institutions have designed their labs to 
include large informal common meeting areas where it might look like a 
Costa's but with a white board for brainstorming. Here, we just have some 
leather chairs in front of a south-facing window where we can sit and 
chat. When you have a great team of people, it pays to hear from everyone 
sometimes. That's how we start most days here.

Johnny-excels-at-sitting-in-the-leather-chairs-with-a-coffee