4 ms·

I understand why that may be the case, but IMO your link was a prime example of science done -right-. The researchers saw something they couldn't explain, and

I understand why that may be the case, but IMO your link was a prime example of science done -right-. The researchers saw something they couldn't explain, and even knowing that that they almost certainly made a mistake somewhere, they put their hubris aside and asked the community for help. This sort of discovery should be commended, not avoided!

ceejayoz 11y ago
The science was done right, but the media management wasn't.
- _0ffh 11y ago
  Lol, media management! The mainstream (and wannabe mainstream) media care about lurid headlines, and not much else (apart from the occasional agitprop piece, maybe). Even the most guarded of press releases are regularly distorted beyond recognition. Good luck with the media management!
  - mturmon 11y ago
    That combustible media environment must therefore be taken into account when publishing results.
    - _0ffh 11y ago
      Press release: "We possibility found a hint that might indicate X." Press: "Breakthrough study finds that X!!1!one1eleven" (I know I am caricaturing here, but certainly less than I'd like...)
      - mikeash 11y ago
        Really, the only caricature I see is the fact that they use particular kinds of vocabulary as a substitute for exclamation marks.
      - taneq 11y ago
        Popular media: "Y and probably Z!!" Social media: "You'll never believe that W leads to this one weird thing!"
mturmon 11y ago
Sure, the instrumentation problem was found eventually, but it would have been even better if it was found much earlier, before speculation bounced around the internet. There are quieter ways than a publication to get other eyes on the problem -- like a site visit by a review team. The kerfuffle eventually resulted in a bunch of drama, including a leadership change in the consortium running OPERA (https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21656-leaders-of-controversial-neutrino-experiment-step-down/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21656-leaders-of-cont...). Thus, the statement in the GP comment that "Nobody wants a repeat..." pretty much captures the issue.

ceejayoz 11y ago

The science was done right, but the media management wasn't.

_0ffh 11y ago
Lol, media management! The mainstream (and wannabe mainstream) media care about lurid headlines, and not much else (apart from the occasional agitprop piece, maybe). Even the most guarded of press releases are regularly distorted beyond recognition. Good luck with the media management!
- mturmon 11y ago
  That combustible media environment must therefore be taken into account when publishing results.
  - _0ffh 11y ago
    Press release: "We possibility found a hint that might indicate X." Press: "Breakthrough study finds that X!!1!one1eleven" (I know I am caricaturing here, but certainly less than I'd like...)
    - mikeash 11y ago
      Really, the only caricature I see is the fact that they use particular kinds of vocabulary as a substitute for exclamation marks.
    - taneq 11y ago
      Popular media: "Y and probably Z!!" Social media: "You'll never believe that W leads to this one weird thing!"

mturmon 11y ago

Sure, the instrumentation problem was found eventually, but it would have been even better if it was found much earlier, before speculation bounced around the internet. There are quieter ways than a publication to get other eyes on the problem -- like a site visit by a review team. The kerfuffle eventually resulted in a bunch of drama, including a leadership change in the consortium running OPERA (https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21656-leaders-of-controversial-neutrino-experiment-step-down/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21656-leaders-of-cont...). Thus, the statement in the GP comment that "Nobody wants a repeat..." pretty much captures the issue.