Peer Review = ConspiracyHeard someone say this the other day- I thought to myself ..... That's it! It was so simple. So basic. So obvious. Why hadn’t this ever occurred to me? Then I reminded myself often times it is most difficult to see what is in plain sightTo understand where I’m headed with this you must DISCARD the modern day manipulation of the word conspire/conspiracy and get to the root or most basic meaning of it.Conspire- means to breath together. Or to breath as one. To act in harmony.
1325-75; Middle English < Latin conspirare to act in harmony, conspire, equivalent to con- con- + spirare to breathe; see spirant, spirit
A “conspiracy” is at least two people, but it could be more, working/breathing together. Acting in harmony. Acting in unison.
2:to act or work together toward the same result or goal.
Reiterating: Conspire/conspiracy: Two or more people working together towards the same result or goal.Now let’s consider the idea of peer review:Peer simply means: another person who is similar or equal to you. Or a companion.
A person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status.
As in a jury of his/her peers- Basic example: Greencrow As the Crow Flies... is my peer. She is a woman and she blogs on political issues.Peer can also mean companion
Archaic. a companion.
Hence, my friend can also be my peer.Peer Review: Peer Review at it’s most basic means people who appear as equals based on arbitrary(subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion ) parameters (limit, boundary) sharing some common attributes, who conspire together (breath/work together) toward a common result or goal.Making Peer Review at it’s most basic a conspiracy. Scientists breathing/working together/conspiring with a common goal in mind. Not always truth. So that should not be assumed. The concept of “peer review” has been afforded a prestigious place in society (revered) that is not necessarily warranted or deserved. Since prestige is very often used to trick/ fool or manipulate a receptive audience. Large or small. Understanding what words represent in reality we must accept that "Peer Review" should be considered first and foremost as a conspiracy of like minded individuals working towards an already agreed upon goal that may or may not be legitimate, correct or valid. The very fact of peer review as conspiracy explains how you can actually get a “consensus” (general agreement) that isn’t necessarily legitimate or even close to truth. But can still be presented as definitive or authoritative in order to persuade.As in “consensus” on Anthropegenic Global WarmingLink and Link “The IPCC provides an internationally accepted authority on climate change” (appeal to authority)The IPCC was created to present an internationally accepted authority on climate change- Self anointed.
The aims of the IPCC are to assess scientific information relevant to:[6] Human-induced climate change, The impacts of human-induced climate change, Options for adaptation and mitigation.
In order create the concept of consensus the IPCC conspired with scientific peers on a pre conceived & pre ordained agenda. The very basis of the idea of conspiracy enshrined in an institution or bureaucracy specifically created as an internationally accepted authority on climate change.Or how you can have bogus papers getting positive “peer reviews”on agenda specific issues?The Conceptual Penis as a Social Construct: A Sokal-Style Hoax on Gender Studies Perception management
"Perception" is defined as the "process by which individuals select, organize, and interpret the input from their senses to give meaning and order to the world around them". Components of perception include the perceiver, target of perception, and the situation. Perception management is the practice of ensuring the message you wish to send is understood by the specific individuals or groups you want to reach.
UPDATE: The Fifth Branch: Science Advisers as Policy Makers Pages 63 - 80 address some of the myriad of issues with peer review- it's by no means exhaustive, but, it will get you thinking