The King is Not Wearing Clothes

When I was young, the landscape of research was vibrant, marked by the pursuit of small, sharp ideas that pierced through the veil of the unknown. Researchers in that era brimmed with imagination, exploring uncharted territories with enthusiasm and a genuine passion for discovery. It was a time when innovation was driven by curiosity, and each breakthrough, no matter how small, was celebrated as a step towards a greater understanding of the world.

In stark contrast, the present-day research community appears to have lost its way. The focus has shifted towards heavy, cumbersome ideas that, despite their grandiose appearances, often lack substance and originality. Imagination seems to have taken a backseat, replaced by a mechanical pursuit of safe, predictable outcomes. The vibrancy that once characterized the research community has been replaced by a facade of prosperity, where genuine progress is overshadowed by the superficiality of logrolling and mutual back-scratching.

This environment, steeped in mediocrity, stifles true innovation. The community is ensnared in a cycle of producing voluminous but uninspired work, more concerned with maintaining appearances than with making meaningful contributions. The result is a stagnation of ideas, where the real progress is increasingly rare and hard to come by.

Interestingly, the machine learning community stands as a stark exception to this trend. Here, the spirit of imagination and genuine inquiry thrives. Researchers in this field are not afraid to venture into the unknown, to experiment, and to fail. It is a realm where bold, creative ideas are not only encouraged but necessary for advancement. The machine learning community, with its emphasis on innovation and its willingness to embrace the unorthodox, is driving real progress in a way that other fields seem to have forgotten.

The difference is striking and serves as a reminder of what the research community once was and what it has the potential to be. It is a call to rekindle the spirit of imagination, to shed the heavy, uninspired ideas that weigh us down, and to remember that true progress comes from daring to think differently. The king may not be wearing clothes, but it is up to us to see beyond the facade and strive for a future where imagination and genuine inquiry lead the way once more.