I’m working on a post about the proper role of research, which, if you can’t guess from the title, is to be open to surprise. Hunters at a foxhunt first release a fox they’ve already captured, then track it down and bring it home. Research projects that follow that model waste your time. Get off the horse. Walk the woods with your eyes, ears, and nose open. Follow every scent and sign. Bring home a pheasant.