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AI Engineering
Hacker News·Jun 29·5 min read
Why did this journal retract two 1940s papers by Max Planck?
TL;DR
Two papers by physicist Max Planck from the 1940s were retracted by the journal Naturwissenschaften, raising questions about copyright issues. Historians Yves Gingras and Mahdi Khelfaoui investigated the retraction, discovering it was likely a mistake related to the journal's algorithm.
✦ Why It Matters
Researchers should be aware of potential algorithmic errors in academic publishing that can affect the integrity of scientific literature.
Key Takeaways
- Verify the status of published papers regularly.
- Understand the implications of algorithmic errors in journals.
- Engage with journal editors for clarity on retractions.
- Monitor ethical practices in academic publishing.
Full Summary
Max Planck, a foundational figure in quantum mechanics and Nobel Prize winner, had two of his 1940s papers retracted by the journal Naturwissenschaften, now known as The Science of Nature. Historians Yves Gingras and Mahdi Khelfaoui examined the retraction, which was unusual given Planck's esteemed reputation.
They found that the journal had removed the papers entirely, leaving only blank pages and empty PDFs, citing 'article violation' without further explanation. Suzanne Scarlata, the journal's editor-in-chief, was unaware of the retraction and suggested it was likely an error caused by the journal's algorithm.
Despite the retraction, Springer Nature continues to sell the empty PDFs, raising ethical concerns. This incident highlights the potential for algorithmic errors in academic publishing and the need for careful oversight.
It serves as a reminder for researchers to verify the status of published works.