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I mean it was an example I chose because the name recognition in HN. I would doubt Knuth would publish garbage. Then again, how would you know? If you've never
by Test0129 4y ago
I mean it was an example I chose because the name recognition in HN. I would doubt Knuth would publish garbage. Then again, how would you know? If you've never been in academia it's understandable to think that way. But if you have, you realize the immense pressure, self-doubt, and scrutiny you'd have even making a bold, well researched, attempt to prove someone like knuth wrong even if it was obvious he was. I recall several instances in mathematics where this happened and it bordered on starting a war between mathematicians.
- manholio 4y ago> I would doubt Knuth would publish garbage Rather, Knuth could publish some mediocre paper that would be instantly accepted by all the top journals, widely read, discussed and cited instead of more salient works on similar topics. That's the problem really, excellence is rare while mediocrity is aplenty and academia is a numbers game. The mediocres with prodigious output will get the cites, tenure, TAs, lab assistants and budgets to do research and perhaps stumble onto some other mediocre result, reinforcing the cycle.