On the Benefits of Promoting Diversity of Ideas

TL;DR

The paper argues that promoting diversity of ideas in research decision-making can improve scientific discovery efficiency, highlighting flaws in current practices and proposing affirmative action in funding and telescope time allocation.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of affirmative action for idea diversity in research funding and telescope time allocation to enhance discovery efficiency.

Findings

Current research practices often favor uniform ideas, leading to delays.

Diverse ideas can prevent strategic errors and accelerate discovery.

Implementing diversity policies can improve research outcomes.

Abstract

A common flaw of astronomers is to believe that they know the truth even when data is scarce. I provide ten examples where this approach led to wrong strategic decisions in research plans, causing unnecessary delays in finding the truth. In order to make the discovery process more efficient, I advocate affirmative action for diversity of ideas by telescope-time allocation committees and funding agencies.