[baandam]

Great post. I am far too much of a linguistic neophyte to have any input but in trying to get a grasp on the field it does strike me that Chomsky will be a real time example of science advancing one funeral at a time.

I wouldn't be shocked if he becomes the archetype of this process for future generations. Hopefully we can find a word someday for this process of deification of an individual that holds back an entire field while the deity is alive.