[krutulis]

The idea that appraisal of academic work must be made in secret does not ring true. Perhaps universities have degenerated into political posturing over pursuit of knowledge, but even this seems like an argument for opening the process in order to reform it.

The young researcher should not have to be the one to tell the senior researcher the work is crap. This is why the process is called "peer" review. Of course, the senior researcher should not be submitting crap, and should be told bluntly if she or he does.

But perhaps I'm missing the point and "peer review" is now doublespeak for the process of editing a paper. In this case, the academic publishing racket appears even more absurd.

[jacquesm]

Academia is rife with politics. I've seen some of this up close through an ex girlfriend and I was frankly shocked at the pettiness and the vindictiveness of it all. Furthering science didn't seem to be at the forefront of the minds of those participating, it seemed to be mostly about ego. This was in the field of biology, possibly other fields are better / worse.

[impendia]

I am an academic mathematician. Happily, I have observed little of what you described. Ego, sure, but pettiness and vindictiveness, no.

[jacquesm]

Math may very well be a huge exception to this because all mathematicians can test their proofs in an objective way rather than as partial opinions or bits of understanding of a greater whole. It's a discovery process with 'true' or 'false' embedded right into the core of the science.

[arethuza]

Hence the old saying that:

"The politics of the university are so intense because the stakes are so low"

Certainly in my six years working in academia I was surprised at the long term vendettas and bitterness that seemed to be common in what was, in reality, really a rather pleasant working environment.

[javajosh]

I'd like to get a better sense of the kinds of conflicts you observed. Did people get upset because someone panned their article? Or would they be upset if a colleague panned a friend's article? What triggered the pettiness and how was it expressed?