SF Gate – by Katie DowdA new study shows that there are too damn many new studies. And it’s not just a funny headline: There are real-world implications.
The study, which surely must be aware of its own irony, found that researchers are experiencing “attention decay” because of the glut of academic papers. Just like we’re overwhelmed by the bounty of the internet, researchers are forgetting important studies because they’re swimming in nonessential ones.
As a result, the study expresses concern that scientists and researchers are forgetting truly valuable research that could advance the field. Instead, like us, the study on toast falling butter-side down is front of mind.
You can read the full study on Cornell University’s website.
At the link below, you can check out 20 of the silliest studies in recent memory. Somewhere, grant money is going toward finding out if elevator music prevents the common cold. Is that really where we want that money directed?
http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/New-study-determines-there-are-too-many-studies-6128714.php
I think I’ll skip this study, and regret that I had to pay for it.
Any relative of a congressman who refuses to get his lazy ass to work gets to do a well-funded study of something inconsequential.