Read on Twitter
Well @edyong209 has another amazing, deep dive about the pandemic out today. It's a thoughtful and nuanced look about the COVIDization of science, and both the tremendous achievements we've made and the steep price we've paid for them. https://twitter.com/edyong209/status/1338469107008679936?s=20
Probably my favorite part is the section that concerns this, because debunking harmful bullshit from clout chasers, armchair experts, and self-appointed thought leaders has been my unpleasant reality all year. https://twitter.com/edyong209/status/1338469115359584256?s=20
It's a long read but an important one for a Monday morning and not just because I had a long, thoughtful conversation with Ed for the piece back in October, which seems like a century ago. If Ed doesn't win the Pulitzer for his amazing coverage of the pandemic it will be a crime.
Grateful to contribute and for insight from so many wonderful friends, colleagues, & leaders: @NIHDirector, @ericrubinmd, @paimadhu, @KRoyMyers, @blacksciblog, @doudna_lab, @TexasDownUnder, @VirusesImmunity, @LisaGralinski, @PardisSabeti, @ying000, Tony Fauci, @nataliexdean...
...Nicole Lurie, @Afinetheorem, @llborio, @jenbrea, @martinepi, @linseymarr, me, @nathanballan, @wormmaps, @K_G_Andersen, @mollymking, @NeilLewisJr, @e_hernandez8, @WhitneyEpi, and @alondra. I hope I didn't miss anyone!
This is a masterpiece and although it is LONG it is well worth your time. Not a wasted word and some amazing zingers too. Like when @linseymarr notes that there are an awful lot of people so far afield they don't realize how redundant their newfound expertise really is.
Or this, when my friend and @viralemergence colleague @wormmaps talks about how armchair experts have sucked all the oxygen out of the room.
Or where @edyong209 calls academia a "pyramid scheme" and explains the powerful incentive for people to become Highly Cited Researchers at any cost.
Or possibly my absolute favorite, where @paimadhu, an expert who has studied TB for decades, regales us with a story about how some overconfident tech/data person claimed to solve the connection between the BCG vaccine and COVID with a 2 day hackathon.
Anyway the piece is phenomenal and has started my week off with a lot to think about (which makes me both want to scream and shower Ed with appreciation and gratitude). Do yourself a favor and take some time to read it.
