ABSTRACT
Here, I step back and give my perspective on my journey of discovery, despite a few failures along the way. This format allows me to connect my experiences with those of many others. I examine the tensions between the managers of science discovery and those on the front line who risk it all. The effects of their actions on junior scientists is described by the Matthew effect, and on woman scientists, by the Matilda effect. I also look at the effects of technology on the rate of discovery, something that supports the managed science approach versus those discoveries occurring outside the mainstream that change in the way we perceive the world. In both cases, the winner-takes-all outcomes lead to ethical dilemmas that are amplified by the rewards available, especially for companies. I discuss some recent examples, based on court cases, that highlight the issues involved. For individuals, it is important to choose your battles and choose the arenas where the odds are most favorable, which means you should estimate them diligently as you choose your next course of action.
