Surprises are anomalies when they not only occur unexpectedly but also run distinctly counter to established beliefs. Is then every anomaly also a surprise? Yes and no. They always surprise those working in the given field; but historians and philosophers of science and other pundits know that anomalies are bound to crop up as science progresses; indeed, science progresses because of the recurrence of anomalies. The contemporary and widely acclaimed knowledge explosion has a little-remarked corollary: anomalies will occur more frequently. At the same time, the increasing influence exerted by those who provide research funds makes more damaging the tendency to ignore anomalies and stick with what has successfully brought funding in the past.
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