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 i

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.