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RE: Today I learned about the Madala boson - a fake particle physics discovery most particle physicists were fortunately not aware of
It's not really surprising really. These days a lot of scientists (regardless of the field) - decide to go public before they even check their results properly. It happens all the time in medicine - I think everyone is hoping to become a celebrity scientist!
Here the results are actually correct. Anytime a fit is made, you have a best it point. The problem lies in the interpretation, in particular by the press.
Do you think the scientists involved perhaps knew this would happen and did it with that in mind? It brings to mind something that one of my medical professors said at university - "Those who really succeed in science, like most other fields in life, are those who are best at promoting themselves and they are NOT always the best in the field". I'm paraphrasing because I don't have the exact words recorded but it was a very valid point.
This I don't know. I know some of the names involved and they are very serious guys. My guess is that this funny interpretation started as a joke they were making with each other... And they did it once too much. But this is a guess :)
EDIT: the sentence you quote contains a part of truth, but there are other very valid points that make you succeeding in science.
Of course. It is an exaggeration to make the point:) You have to be a good scientist too but you will see some people who are really brilliant but lack the social and promotion skills and so don't get as far as their peers. I think it applies to all occupation to be honest.