Strong Links vs. Weak Links: The Plight of Science

This article explores the concepts of 'strong-link problems' and 'weak-link problems'. Weak-link problems, such as food safety, depend on the quality of the worst link; strong-link problems, like scientific progress, depend on the quality of the best link. Many mistakenly treat science as a weak-link problem, focusing excessively on preventing poor research, thereby stifling groundbreaking work. The author argues that this stems from the intense competition and status concerns within academia, ultimately leading to stagnation in scientific progress.
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