Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Question: Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
- Keywords:
  billion,
  how science works,
  paint,
  philosophy,
  star
Asked by mattsid to Mike, Pip, Tianfu, Tim, Tom on 25 Jun 2012.
- Tom Lister answered on 25 Jun 2012:
  
  It’s more difficult to check how many stars there are. Anyway, us scientists don’t believe anything you tell us. We’re always questioning things.
- Philippa Bird answered on 25 Jun 2012:
  
  Lol, great question. You probably know the answer.
- Tim Stephens answered on 25 Jun 2012:
  
  LOL

Question: Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?