Misattribution and the Matthew Effect

The part of David Mermin’s Reference Frame (Physics Today, May 2004, page 10) that I enjoyed most was his exposition of the Matthew effect, which was an exquisitely ironic example of what he was writing about.

The term is very unfair to Mark, Luke, and John, who also wrote “Unto him that hath shall be given …” (or near enough). An earlier letter from me (Physics Today, October 1991, page 154) provides more detail.