[rajansaini]

I'd like to play the foil to enrich the discussion.

Our instincts force us to seek validation and approval from others as individuals. I wonder if the success of blogs, Twitter, and academic research stems from incentivizing people to maximize that self-centered sense of ownership. For example, being first author on a well-cited paper is a powerful motivation to produce better research, which in-turn benefits the community and strengthens the institution.

[talkingtab]

I completely agree that we seek validation from others. I believe that I have underestimated my own "schooling" behavior, imitating minnows, as well as that of others around me. So yes, seeking validation is a strong force, but one that can limit our ability to adapt and be creative. I mean this honestly, my own instinct is to go with the crowd even when I am perplexed as to what the heck is going on.

The question of being the first author is interesting. Here is a question, or a poll: would you rather be the first author of a well-cited paper, or would you rather be a member of a group that created powerful new concepts and ideas?

And yes, I do think it is a binary choice. My own recent experience is that the ideas produced are better when "my" thinking is done in a group of thoughtful original thinkers rather than on my own.

Discussion enriched (imho).