The Dark Side of Darwinian Selection in Science

Charles Darwin, while formulating his theory of natural selection, was taken aback by parasitic wasps that lay their eggs within caterpillars, devouring their hosts from within. Instead of condemning this gruesome behavior, Darwin saw it as a stark illustration of evolution’s amoral nature—any trait that enhances survival can flourish, no matter how grotesque.

This concept extends beyond biology—cultural practices, including scientific methods, can evolve to exhibit similar pressures. At Arizona State University’s Institute of Human Origins, researchers explore how cultural evolution influences our bodies, behaviors, and societal systems.

Culture and Scientific Practice

Culture profoundly impacts scientific inquiry, shaping the questions researchers ask and their methodologies. While effective scientific practices yield public benefits, inefficient ones lead to wasted resources.

Scientists vary in approach—some are detail-oriented, while others are visionaries. These different styles are often transmitted through mentorship, determining the fate of new scientists. The success or failure of a scientific career often hinges on these foundational influences.

The Currency of Scientific Success

When vying for jobs or funding, scientists showcase their credibility through research publications—papers vetted by peers and published in journals. However, evaluation systems can often rely on blunt metrics, such as the number of publications, citation counts, and h-index scores.

Such measures can lead to questionable behaviors, like self-citations to inflate metrics or the formation of 'citation cartels' aimed at boosting citations regardless of quality.

‘Publish or Perish’: The Pressure to Produce

The mantra ‘publish or perish’ underscores the rampant pressure within academics to churn out publications quickly, often at the expense of quality. While there have been movements away from simplistic metrics, many institutions still prioritize sheer output.

The Publishing Environment: A Balancing Act

Within this ecosystem, publishers play a pivotal role. Traditional models relied on subscription fees, leading journals to attract readers through rigorous content vetting. However, this created access barriers for many, often resulting in paywalls that hindered public knowledge.

The Rise of Open Access

The Open Access movement seeks to democratize research access by removing paywalls, but this shift has introduced new challenges, with many journals now imposing publication fees on authors.

While prestigious journals can charge hefty fees due to their reputations, lesser-known journals often face pressure to prioritize quantity over quality, a trend that mirrors the pressures faced by scientists.

Navigating New Challenges

In this competitive landscape, some scientists resort to shortcuts, including using artificial intelligence to hasten their research output, potentially compromising quality but maximizing quantity.

Alternative Publishing Models

Not all journals charge fees. Diamond Open Access journals rely on donations, while preprints allow scientists to bypass peer review to share their findings instantly. Additionally, academic societies may offer free publication as part of membership, leveraging established reputations.

Emerging models, like peer community initiatives, aim to overhaul traditional peer review, promising to reshape the publishing landscape.

The Importance of Rethinking Evolution in Science

Darwin’s parasitic wasps remind us that selection—whether in nature or science—is a neutral mechanism that can produce both admirable and unsettling outcomes. Addressing the darker trends in scientific publishing—such as fraud or low-quality outputs—requires us to reevaluate the systems of selection we’ve established.

Rather than blaming individual misconduct, we need to focus on redesigning the system to foster more positive outcomes. By implementing improved frameworks, we can influence the evolutionary trajectory of scientific research towards integrity and innovation.