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Stupid Scientist (view source)

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Because the character is held in high regard, everyone listens to them and stops panicking, just in time for the disaster to happen anyway. The character who initially stated these odds often gets involved in the thick of it, quickly changing their mind. This individual may or may not survive. As for their earlier statement, it becomes [[Hilarious in Hindsight]], and they may or may not be [[You Just Had to Say It|called out]] for it.
 
If they [[Too Dumb to Live|die]] in the ensuing cataclysm, it may be as the result of a [[Death Byby Irony]] or [[A Tragedy of Impulsiveness]]. In this role they often function as a [[Red Shirt]] or a demonstration that [[Anyone Can Die]]. If they survive, they sometimes play the role of the [[Idiot Hero]] or [[Ditzy Genius]], or rarely [[The Professor]]. The character is usually depicted as naive at worst, and is usually genuinely intelligent but out of his or her league. A [[Stupid Scientist]] is almost never [[Science Is Bad|outright evil]].
 
The [[Stupid Scientist]] can be seen as related to [[Tempting Fate]] and they usually demonstrate some form of [[Genre Blindness]]. They can also be contrasted with [[The Cassandra]], in that both herald the event, but the difference is that the Stupid Scientist denies the disaster and is widely believed while the Cassandra says that it will happen and is completely ignored. The opposite trope is an [[Ignored Expert]], a scientist who tries to warn everyone of danger but is disbelieved. More sensible or recurring Stupid Scientists can be promoted to [[Agent Scully]].
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== Literature ==
* The quoted example is from ''[[The War of the Worlds]]'' by [[HGH. G. Wells]]. Ogilvy, a "well-known astronomer", says that to the narrator at the beginning of the book, right when [[Alien Invasion|Martian cylinders are heading to Earth.]] [[Hilarious in Hindsight|Nice]]. To be fair, however, Ogilvy is trying to be rational, and at that point in the story he may be more accurately described personality-wise as an [[Agent Scully]].
** The irony is also somewhat undercut by the beings that invade not being very manlike. "Not very manlike" is not the same thing as being non-existent, unintelligent or friendly...
* In [[HPH.P. Lovecraft]]'s [[Cosmic Horror Story]] "The Whisperer In Darkness", the main character denies the existence of [[Starfish Aliens|alien life]]. Naturally he finds out that aliens do, in fact, exist, especially when they {{spoiler|disembody and replace one of his friends.}}
** He also walks straight into the most obvious trap ever devised, even giving a lengthy monologue over how it can't possibly be a dangerous situation. {{spoiler|Fortunately the aliens are just as stupid, and do nothing besides drug his coffee which he doesn't drink, giving him a chance to realize what an idiot he was and run away.}}
 
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