Matthew Effect

It is strange that only extraordinary men make the discoveries, which later appear so easy and simple. - Georg C. Lichtenberg

The “Matthew Effect” in science is important to understand because it can have a profound impact on the spread of ideas. The Matthew effect is named after the biblical verse, "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath" (Matthew 25:29).

This principle was first described by sociologist Robert K. Merton in 1968 as "the cumulative advantage principle." It states that people or things that are already successful will become more successful, while those who are unsuccessful will become more unsuccessful. The rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer.

The Matthew effect has been observed in many different areas of life, including science. For example, a study published in Nature found that scientists who had already achieved success were more likely to receive additional funding for their research than those who were just starting out. And a study published in Science found that papers written by authors with high numbers of citations were more likely to be accepted for publication than papers written by authors with low citation counts.

There are several reasons why the Matthew effect is so prevalent in science. One reason is because it's often difficult for new ideas to break through established paradigms. In order for an idea to gain traction, it needs to be supported by evidence and convincing arguments – something which can be difficult when competing against well-established theories or hypotheses. Additionally, scientists tend to build on the work of others rather than starting from scratch each time – meaning that breakthroughs often occur gradually over time rather than all at once. As a result of these factors, it's often easier for established scientists and researchers to achieve success than newcomers working within their field.

So if you're ever feeling down about your own scientific achievements, remember that history is full of examples of great minds who were able to achieve success despite starting out small! With hard work and perseverance, you too can make your mark on the world of science

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