Going in Many Right Directions, All at Once

When asked whether the field is going in the right direction, my answer is “yes, mostly.” Policymakers’ respect and the public’s interest put us in the spotlight for our intrinsic strengths—but they also draw attention to our weaknesses as reflected by the replication crisis, about which reasonable opinions differ. Among other concerns, civility and mutual tolerance have sometimes been an issue in these debates. As an example of a constructive debate, our lab’s recent experience with mutually respectful engagement has advanced solving one scientific puzzle. Principles facilitating this adversarial collaboration include using our respective tribes as secure bases for exploration, sharing agreed-upon rigorous standards, and establishing mutual trust. Finally, my own career path has perhaps oriented me to rely on perseverance, flexibility, tolerance, and optimism for the field.