Aww, thank you.

FYI it was very little effort. You can do it too! I followed two links to the paper, looked for "how did they test this thing" (because I was skeptical about that bit), then skimmed the three paragraphs in section 4 "Feasibility Study". I'm hoping that people that care more than I do will read more.

Thanks very much for the encouragement.

+1

No need to praise for that behavior, it’s just one person doing their research; this should be the default.

There is seldom need for praise, that's what makes the praise mean something. Some stranger took the time to thank a person for doing something. Huge high five, probably felt good for both of them. I don't think we should discourage positive human interaction.

It still feels to me like praising somebody for doing something mundane, e.g. washing their hands.

Sure, a positive interaction and rewarding something important. At the same time we shouldn’t forget to aim to make this behavior commonplace.

Someone holding the door open for me if I'm right behind them is a mundane thing and should be the default, but I still thank them for it.