A
reflecting on @KevinSimler’s interactive essay. It’s fun and easy—read it first!
His post has a sudden plot twist toward the end, and takes on a darker tone.
[SPOILERS of sorts coming]https://twitter.com/KevinSimler/status/1128079359267430400 …
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Most of what scientists do is artificial activities required to get yourself through endless steps of career filtering, put in place with good intentions to ensure that only good science is funded, but which instead almost completely replaced actual science.
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This is so bad that some institutions have started choosing who to fund literally at random. At least that wastes much less time, so if someone competent randomly gets funded, they can do science instead of writing grant applications. (h/t
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Also, funding by peer review results in group-think and whole scientific fields floating off in a self-perpetuating irreality bubble for decades. Randomness will fund mavericks, mostly crackpots, but some may blow up established dysfunctional disciplines.
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We can do better than random, I hope! We know something about what creates innovative “scenes.” And we know something about how institutions can reflect on, and upgrade, their operating principles. https://meaningness.com/metablog/upgrade-your-cargo-cult …pic.twitter.com/5V5YQBvu9G
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I disagree with the implicit hypothesis that "carreerists" cannot do good science, if one defines a carreerist as someone who simply want a good carreer (if it's someone who cares solely about power and prestige, that's a bit different) (Also people change over time)
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Yes, I hope I said that later in the thread!
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interactive essay!
How to prevent disease, control nuclear reactions, and encourage the spread of ideas. All with playable simulations.