Yes, true basic breakthroughs are few and far between with the current paradigm, therefore not many promoted to the top of the heap.

It's honestly a mixed bag.

I think most academics *are* genuinely interested in their subjects. So you can break into the club easily, and even become a leader in the club, if you make a genuine breakthrough in the field.

But the thing is, that's pretty rare. And for people who aren't skilled or lucky enough to make a major breakthrough, yeah you basically have to rely on getting the guys above you to like you.

SimpleStacker

science

Ethical Collapse in the Peer Review of a Leading Vaccine Journal

Rothbardian_fanatic

It sounds like a daisy-chain of a$$kissers or as some here on SN say a$$milkers. Yep, you can see that effect all over the place and it is very obvious who is kissing whose ass. It almost sounds like a military hierarchical situation for academics.