CERN LHC PUBLISHES FIRST PAPER: Competitive Physics

CERN LHC PUBLISHES FIRST PAPER: Competitive Physics


My recent comment in QUANTUM DIARIES addressed the issue of "competitive physics."

It was a commentary which discussed world leading physicist Frank Simon of Germany and his unexpected scooping of world leading physicist Zoe Matthews of Geneva. My commentary asserted that Frank Simon should NOT have rushed to announce publicly, the first published paper from CERN.

CERN physicist Zoe Matthews was the major contributor to the published paper and had worked on ALICE group, which conducted these initial tests.Zoe had to wait for security clearances, before she could announce her team's achievement. While Zoe was being delayed by clearance for public announcement, Frank Simon "scooped" her and made the announcement himself.

My commentary was that, despite the immense competitive pressure placed on physicists, Frank Simon should have exercised professional courtesy to Zoe and allowed her to make her own announcement.

Of course, Zoe expressed her surprise at Frank Simon's announcement, but graciously said at least the "can of worms has been opened" and her ALICE team can "shout from the rooftops" their joy in their recent accomplishment.

How gracious is that...Zoe Matthews.