What are some instances of people en-masse trying to emulate a scientist's womanizing or similar traits? What I mean to say is, the problem we're trying to solve/avoid - does it actually exist, ever?
Also, I have direct experience with this having spent time in some of the most prestigious academic institutions in the US. I can assure you that the culture I'm describing exists. As a postdoc, my supervisor was so insecure that he would go out of his way to undermine me publicly and he was one of the leading scientists in his field and in his 70s at the time. There were also good, generous people, but as the old saying goes a rotten apple can spoil the lot.