Do you have an idea for a better one? It is pretty darn close to natural selection, which while ugly, does produce surprisingly good results in many domains.
Of course the implementation is far from perfect. For example, the interaction between impact factor and grant funding produces pressure toward ideological conformity and excessive analytical “creativity”. But the underlying principle of competitive scrutiny is probably a desirable one.
> Do you have an idea for a better one? It is pretty darn close to natural selection, which while ugly, does produce surprisingly good results in many domains.
Cooperation is also an extremely fit behavior in natural selection.
Not by itself it’s not. The “selection” part of natural selection is inherently competitive, even if some things cooperate as a competitive strategy. Obviously scientists can and do cooperate within the broader framework of competition.
Of course the implementation is far from perfect. For example, the interaction between impact factor and grant funding produces pressure toward ideological conformity and excessive analytical “creativity”. But the underlying principle of competitive scrutiny is probably a desirable one.