What's happening here?

You spoke about natural pathways into psi.  One thing that happens with science is that new ideas get laughed at and silenced for a number of years and then somebody else picks them up again and takes the credit for them as they get treated seriously.  My thinking here is Lyall Watson's "Supernature"

Regarding picking up older research and revitalizing, I have seen this happen for many reasons, but one of them is usually that the "new" scientist has a better standing, or is respected, or has better publishers, etc. 
The popularity game, which shouldn't define science, but it does. Politics are bad.
Time is another factor, since I have seen a lot of skeptics back off when other evidence or research surfaces that supports the original conclusions. I love to call that eating crow, which also shows that science is very slanted, pig-headed stubborn, and brainwashed into mainstream regurgitation only. These types just need to step down.
I do like the high standards, if they were applied correctly. I don't like the lack of funding or lack of follow-up research.
Here we are begging for funding and I read that "science" discovers that female dolphins have a clitoris.... so there's money for that? And why did we need to know that?

I would say this meme conveys a sense of good personal meaning, but of limited importance in practical life.

This might be my favorite Meme example of the current woo woo magical thinking issues. Like a regurgitation of the 60's, crystals, wands, spells, and the popularity of Harry Potter show a trend. 
Whether to correct any of this, or help steer it to the difference between real or imaginary, that is the question. 
I have tried, and most people just shut down. 
They want something to go bump in the night, but when it does, they go screaming to the church for help. 
They want it, but they want it to be what they want, not what it really is.
They want it, but it has to be with the push of a button and not any real work or effort.
I suppose it is easier to just enjoy the fantasy.