While I agree with your overall analysis of the issues facing science, I disagree that 'the average person' is to blame. I think the professors / administrators / i.e. the "scientists" in academia themselves are responsible for the current state of things. The public believes scientists collaborate for best results, but as we all know this is in fact the opposite of what's happening: All results are hidden until publication. Methods and data intentionally difficult to get / obscured due to a desire to maintain edge. P-value hacking and exaggeration accepted practices due to desire to publish "high impact" research and get more grants and tenure.