In An Ideal World

Another year has begun, and the past one will be remembered as one which provided ample proof that we are far from living in an ideal world. Crises wherever you looked, including an armed conflict involving an assumed super-power which I personally had thought I would never witness in my lifetime. Be that as it may, it does not befit surgeons to panic or become disgruntled by some adverse circumstances beyond their sphere of influence. We are, and will continue to be, optimists. Full stop.

At this time of the year many people still have what are known as New Year's resolutions. High on the list for reviewers (and editors!) should be the conviction to keep being idealistic and to be proud of it. The growing list of reviewers for this journal will be published together with the usual thank-you in issue 2/2023. This is all very well, but this official recognition is unfortunately all we can offer - apart from the possibility to collect “Publons” credits [https://publons.com/] for the CV if desired.

Being a reviewer means that you are approached several times a year, usually at an inappropriate moment, by a bothersome Editor with the request to study and referee a manuscript in no time, and to condense your impressions, opinions, and scientific critique in a carefully worded, structured review. Very often, probably regularly, this is done “after hours” in the spare time which is becoming increasingly precious and must also be reserved for other personal activities, family, and friends. Why bother?

Because reviewing a scientific manuscript in a proper way will help the editor to make a fair decision, will help the authors to improve their work, and will eventually, if the paper is going to be published, somehow help the readers to treat their patients better. In short, reviewing is a minuscule contribution to improve science - the creation and proliferation of knowledge. To contribute, one must be idealistic. Thank you all for being idealists, and welcome to everybody who would like to join this club of positively thinking characters.

Together we can make this world a teeny-weeny, but not insignificant bit better. And we all know that it is in urgent need of it.

Publication History

Article published online:
05 January 2023