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Exploratory notes: Community as the unit of scientific contribution

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It's conventional to think of discoveries as the basic unit of advance in science. In these notes I explore some limitations of this view, and implications for both metascience and individual contribution to proto-sciences. In particular, I explore the idea that the basic unit of advance in science is communities of practice. This is meant as an (under-explored) complementary point of view, not a complete substitute. The notes are more exploratory than my working notes usually are -- this is an experiment in exploring incomplete ideas in public, and as such it's all tentative, quarter-baked ideas! But if you're interested in the questions discussed here, then thoughtful comments are very welcome -- see the comment section at the end.

Exploratory notes: Community as the unit of scientific contribution By Michael Nielsen, December 9, 2022 It's conventional to think of discoveries as the basic unit of advance in science. In these notes I explore some limitations of this view, and implications for both metascience and individual contribution to proto-sciences. In particular, I explore the idea that the basic unit of advance in science is communities of practice. This is meant as an (under-explored) complementary point of view, not a complete substitute. The notes are more exploratory than my working notes usually are -- this i

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