Quote by Richard Feynman, Nobel Lecture,
We have a habit in writing articles published in scientific journals to make the work as finished as possible, to cover up all the tracks, to not worry about the blind alleys or describe how you had the wrong idea first, and so on. So there isn't any place to publish, in a dignified manner, what you actually did in order to get to do the work.
Summary
This quote highlights the common practice in scientific writing of presenting research findings as polished and flawless while omitting the process of trial and error involved in reaching those results. It criticizes the lack of transparency in scientific publications, where researchers often conceal the wrong turns, dead ends, and initial misconceptions encountered during their journey to a final conclusion. The quote suggests that there is a need for a respectable platform to share the genuine experiences and struggles that researchers encounter along the way, promoting greater openness and honesty in scientific discourse.
Topics
Science
Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.
