Stefan_Schubert comments on Division of cognitive labour in accordance with researchers' ability - Less Wrong

10 Post author: Stefan_Schubert 16 January 2014 09:28AM

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Comment author: Stefan_Schubert 16 January 2014 07:34:09PM 2 points [-]

I think you implicitly paint a too rosy picture of researchers' psychology. I think that in many cases systems that lack sufficiently strong incentives decrease researchers' productivity because they don't have the same need to publish anymore. Most researchers are tempted by other things than science as well and if they are allowed to get away with it they might prioritize those other things.

So the current system is not quite as flawed as many of its detractors claim. We do need incentives, but they need to be tailored in a better way. Specifically, they need to be tailored so that we cram as much as possible out of our most able researchers.

Comment author: Lumifer 16 January 2014 07:43:56PM 1 point [-]

Most researchers are tempted by other things than science as well and if they are allowed to get away with it they might prioritize those other things.

I recommend whippings and an occasional gruesome execution to make sure these uppity researchers don't imagine they will be allowed to get away with it.

Comment author: Stefan_Schubert 16 January 2014 08:31:16PM 1 point [-]

Lol. I don't think there should be anything controversial with the notion that researchers need incentives though - the same goes for other professions. Some incentives are counter-productive but that does not mean that the best system is one in which researchers are given the same funding whatever their output is.

Comment author: Nornagest 16 January 2014 08:05:55PM 1 point [-]

"In this country, we find it wise to hang a professor from time to time to encourage the others."