Perhaps we are looking for the wrong measure of success. This is not inclined plane ball rolling in fifth period Physics with Mr. Johannes. Reproducibility in cutting edge experiment is success. It means that what is being measured - even if the wrong thing - is within the control of the experimenter.

It is absurd, but practical, to publish experimental results with the implication that they are reproducible based on a peer review of the results. "Well they look reproducible to me," when uttered by a peer reviewer is the current standard. All we are seeing is that the a priori reasoning of experts is not a substitute for empirical investigation of scientific claims.

Let us not forget that a journal which finds no worthy articles this quarter has only two options, publish unworthy ones or publish no articles. I know how I react when a magazine subscription does not come.