GoKawiilEssay argues the 'ideas are getting harder to find' thesis is wrong
A researcher pushes back on the popular claim—voiced by commentators like Scott Alexander and Holden Karnofsky and researcher Dean Keith Simonton—that scientific low-hanging fruit has been exhausted and discovery is inevitably slowing. The author, prompted by a discouraged research assistant, argues this view is mistaken and discourages people from pursuing original research.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The debate touches on how institutions, funding bodies and young researchers judge whether pursuing bold new ideas is worthwhile, so a widely accepted 'ideas are running out' narrative could shape career choices and research funding priorities. If the author's pushback gains traction, it could embolden more researchers to pursue ambitious original work rather than incremental tweaks.
- The essay challenges the common 'ideas are getting harder to find' narrative in science commentary.
- It cites Scott Alexander, Holden Karnofsky, and Dean Keith Simonton as proponents of the fading-low-hanging-fruit view.
- The author frames the belief as discouraging to young researchers and harmful to scientific ambition.
Source: experimental-history.com — Adam Mastroianni, 2026-10-09
Published there as: “Ideas aren't getting harder to find, anyone who tells you otherwise is a coward”
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