A lot of people, myself included, are disappointed about how "science happened" here and absolutely don't share the view that it should be like this. You're ri

A lot of people, myself included, are disappointed about how "science happened" here and absolutely don't share the view that it should be like this. You're right that the system ultimately worked. But doing things "well" isn't just to win some aesthetics contest. It's essential precisely because, due to all our human flaws, it's too easy to delude yourself by doing sloppy work. In this case, doing sloppy work has won the authors international fame and attention -- an insult to all those who do their experiments properly. The LK-99 authors probably didn't do themselves any favors in the long run, but it is easy to think of examples where sloppy work leads to some quick social media wins, but the topic is not as sexy so ultimately isn't scrutinized in the same way. Social media clout is already playing a role in hiring decisions, and social media is only becoming more important. If they haven't already done so, it's just a matter of time before funding agencies factor it into their decisions. Performative show science designed to wow a mass public is exactly what we don't need. These things actually require real, deep study, talent, and tens of thousands of hours of hard work to do and assess properly. The people doing that need to be able to do their work in peace without needing to pander to crowds.