I did not mention yesterday. I am also listening books. What I am listening is ‘Wisdom of Crowds’ written by James Surowiecki. Since I am listening this book, my understanding about this book is limited, however I would like to write that I have noticed. This book describes why the group made good decision, which may be better than it could have been made by any single member of the group. Yes the group may be smarter than the individual which is the smartest person in the room.
Why do Scientists do cooperative studies? Science should be competitive. I have several collaborators of my research also. I have not thought about that. But thanks to this book, I had a chance to think about. If you are interested, you had better read. I would review this book when I finish reading the book though.
I was strong believer of professionalism. But once started the Science, Nature is much more wider and deeper than Scientist can reach. I mainly use neutron for study of magnetism, but physicist has also other beam such as X-ray, electron beam, light and so on. We try to see physical phenomena via interaction between beam and physical phenomena. So, what we can see using only one beam is limited. Also we need time to master technique to use these experiment equipment and understand how to analyze these data. It is almost impossible to master every experiments. So we work together. Also Physics is not only experiment, also needs theory. We can collaborate the other experimentalists and theorists.
On writing paper, also before publishing paper, we usually do peer review paper we are going to submit. That peer review is kind of collaboration, help improving paper. We give comment each other. Some critique as a proffesional, is very useful, sometime new ideas come. Also Science community system has review system, which also helps scientists doing better science.
When does the group make good decision? The keys are independent professional, discussion with free will. Everyone need to trust the other persons idea and discuss issue based on different point of view.
Thanks to internet and SNS, our thoughts can be easily distributed, beside that is good or not. Papers are published online. News are spreading via post somewhere on SNS. In 20th century, I think the professionalism was more important. They were working separately, even they have international conference. The discussions were rare. In 21st century, communication is getting more important.