Only One Way to Deal with a Trap

In the words of Admiral Ackbar, “It's a trap!” Unlike Admiral Ackbar our fleet of scientific research is under the attack of misconduct which can only be solved with a "Deathstarring." There are several ways to approach the issue at hand, either we take the enlightened path, as noted in one of AJ's previous posts, or some other less optimistic route. Unfortunately humanity is good at botching any number of things, from science to such things as religious injustice. While I am no savior from these follies, I do believe that one such possible solution takes us down a more conservative route. I propose the implementation of stricter punishment for individuals whom knowingly commit fraud in science. While others have pointed out that the suing of individuals on a case by case basis does occur, usually these people receive little in punishment (Potti), less their own defamation in scientific circles. The main outcome of the implementation of stricter punishment would be to deter individuals from conducting distorted science. As others believe that transparency will be our enlightenment, pessimistically I do not believed we have reached the societal capability of such great bounds, yet. A more effective means to solving the problem under our current societal structure would be in the form of a swift, firm slap to those who wantonly debilitate science. Earlier today, someone mentioned our mother-child type relationship with science with which I agree. I also agree that when there is intentional wrong doing, some people deserve a thorough “time out.”