Reinventing Discovery

1. Online tools are transforming scientific collaboration and discovery

I believe that the process of science—how discoveries are made—will change more in the next twenty years than it has in the past 300 years.

Networked science. The internet and digital tools are enabling new forms of large-scale scientific collaboration. Projects like the Polymath Project in mathematics and Galaxy Zoo in astronomy demonstrate how online platforms can coordinate the efforts of many researchers and citizen scientists to tackle complex problems. These tools allow expertise to be shared more fluidly across traditional boundaries.

Faster progress. By restructuring how scientists communicate and work together, online tools are accelerating the pace of discovery. Ideas can be shared and built upon more rapidly, data can be analyzed collaboratively at massive scales, and specialized knowledge can be applied where it's most needed. This is leading to breakthroughs that would have been difficult or impossible under traditional models of scientific work.

2. Collective intelligence can be amplified through digital platforms

Online tools create a shared space where this can happen, a short-term collective working memory where ideas can be rapidly improved by many minds.

Harnessing diverse expertise. Online platforms allow large groups to combine their knowledge and skills in powerful ways. Projects like the MathWorks programming competition demonstrate how collective problem-solving can outperform even top individual experts. Key to this amplification of intelligence is:

• Enabling microcontributions from many participants
• Providing rapid feedback loops
• Allowing dynamic allocation of effort
• Creating shared information spaces

Designed serendipity. Well-designed collaborative systems increase the chances of making unexpected connections and insights. By exposing ideas to a cognitively diverse group, breakthroughs can emerge that no individual would likely have reached alone.

3. Open data and shared knowledge accelerate scientific progress

Information not on the network can't do any good.

Building a data web. Projects like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in astronomy and GenBank in genetics are creating vast, open repositories of scientific data. This enables:

• Reuse and reanalysis of data by many researchers
• Discovery of patterns across large datasets
• Rapid dissemination of results

New forms of publication. Open access journals and preprint servers like arXiv are changing how scientific knowledge is shared. This allows faster circulation of ideas and broader access to cutting-edge research. The focus is shifting from protecting intellectual property to maximizing the impact and reuse of scientific work.

4. Citizen science is democratizing research and expanding participation

We are reinventing discovery, and the result will be a new era of networked science that speeds up discovery, not in one small corner of science, but across all of science.

Engaging the public. Projects like Galaxy Zoo and Foldit show how non-professionals can make meaningful contributions to scientific research. This expands the pool of human intelligence applied to problems and helps bridge the gap between science and society.

New roles and identities. Citizen science is blurring the lines between professional and amateur researchers. It allows people to engage with science in more active ways, potentially sparking broader interest and science literacy. However, it also raises questions about how to properly credit and integrate diverse contributions.

5. New digital tools are changing how scientific knowledge is created and shared

We are, piece by piece, assembling all the world's knowledge into a single giant edifice.

Data-driven discovery. Massive datasets and new analytical tools are enabling forms of scientific insight that go beyond traditional hypothesis-driven approaches. Examples include:

• Using Google search data to track disease outbreaks
• Mining astronomy data to discover new celestial objects
• Analyzing genomic data to uncover links between genes and diseases

Machine-aided science. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly being applied to scientific problems, augmenting human capabilities. This ranges from automating routine tasks to uncovering patterns in complex datasets that humans struggle to perceive.

6. Open science faces cultural and institutional barriers

To take full advantage of modern tools for the production of knowledge, we need to create an open scientific culture where as much information as possible is moved out of people's heads and laboratories, and onto the network.

Misaligned incentives. The current academic system primarily rewards publishing papers in prestigious journals. This discourages sharing of data, code, and ideas before formal publication. Scientists often hoard knowledge to maintain competitive advantage.

Resistance to change. Many scientists are hesitant to adopt new, more open ways of working. Concerns include:

• Fear of being scooped by competitors
• Lack of recognition for non-traditional contributions
• Comfort with established practices
• Time required to learn new tools and workflows

7. Incentives and policies can drive a shift toward more open science

Let's look at some practical steps that everyone, from working scientists to members of the general public, can take toward this end.

Funding mandates. Grant agencies are increasingly requiring open access publication and data sharing. This leverages their influence to change scientific norms and practices.

New metrics. Developing ways to measure and credit diverse scientific contributions beyond formal papers can incentivize more open behaviors. This might include metrics for:

• Dataset downloads and reuse
• Code contributions
• Blog posts and other informal communications
• Citizen science participation

Cultural change. Ultimately, widespread adoption of open science practices requires shifting the values and norms of the scientific community. This involves education, leading by example, and creating supportive environments for open collaboration.

8. Data-driven intelligence is enabling new forms of scientific insight

We are, in fact, at a unique moment in history: for the first time we have an open-ended ability to build powerful new tools for thought.

Finding hidden patterns. Advanced data analysis and machine learning techniques can uncover relationships in scientific data that humans struggle to perceive. This is leading to unexpected discoveries across fields.

Augmenting human intelligence. Rather than replacing scientists, data-driven approaches are best viewed as tools to enhance human capabilities. They can:

• Automate routine tasks
• Suggest hypotheses for testing
• Identify promising areas for further investigation
• Combine diverse datasets in novel ways

New explanation paradigms. As scientific models become more complex and data-driven, traditional notions of scientific explanation may need to evolve. There's a tension between human-interpretable theories and highly accurate but opaque computational models.

9. Science's relationship with society is being redefined by digital tools

We have an opportunity to change the way knowledge is constructed.

Broader access. Open access publishing and online scientific resources are making cutting-edge research available to a much wider audience. This has the potential to:

• Increase public understanding of science
• Enable more informed decision-making
• Inspire more people to engage with scientific topics

Two-way communication. Science blogs, social media, and other platforms are creating new channels for dialogue between scientists and the public. This allows for:

• Faster dissemination of scientific findings
• More direct engagement with societal concerns
• Greater transparency in the scientific process

Policy implications. As scientific information becomes more widely accessible, it may change how science informs public policy. There are both opportunities for more evidence-based decision-making and challenges in ensuring proper interpretation of complex scientific findings.

Last updated: March 31, 2025