Sad story about how the meek don't infact inherit the world even if they have done pathbreaking work that sets the not to meek up for a guaranteed Nobel Prize. I have no idea how scientific research works and the institutional politics that come with that territory. But what I read here is very relatable to what I have seen happening in business over and over again
The bright but demure analyst has a great insight and steps forward to share it. The way they go about it is too boring, steeped in technical or engineering detail and fails to capture the imagination of the audience which often is not at the big decision-making level anyway. People tell the analyst they did fantastic work and everyone is on their way. If they are very lucky they may even get a raise or promotion for their efforts
But someone there in that group, takes an interest in the analyst's work and works up a business case around it to sell to the powers that be. All at once this person goes from being a nobody from nowhere to the next visionary in the company. They get the project funded and are on their way to greatness. The analyst is long forgotten and never receives any credit.
The fact that a significant publication is stating clearly Zhuo-Hua Pan invented optogenetics first. is already a win but it is far from enough.
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