I have very mixed feelings about how people become well-known by confidently asserting something, later completely renounce that something, but benefit a ton from the fame or influence they got from asserting it.
On the one hand, changing your mind is good, nobody ever knows anything for certain, sharing can lead to re-thinking, etc
On the other hand, it would be nice if people spent more time testing a belief before convincing other people to hold it?
I've changed my mind on a lot of stuff over the years, and I think if I'd confidently promoted earlier beliefs I would intellectually regret it -- in whatever tiny way, I would have negatively influenced people who read me. But on a purely personal level I think I'd be better off
Maybe we need to radically revise the conditions we must satisfy before even bringing ideas to public appeal.