> participating in this ritual of fake research, giving talks about it, and other science-shaped activities, still does bind the participants together. It lends

> participating in this ritual of fake research, giving talks about it, and other science-shaped activities, still does bind the participants together. It lends prestige to the leaders of the field. It gives everyone a way to coordinate politically around securing funding and legitimacy from higher powers for their fake research area. You just described modern US politics.