Manifesto for empirical research

Due to recent events stemming from customary detractors, we, scientists and researchers of the Dakila Ecosystem, come forward to publicly defend our working methods.

Nowadays, many so-called academics are solely focused on publishing articles and books to fill their Lattes CVs and feel superior to their peers. Consequently, much of what is presented there is at times futile.

The advent of the internet and social media has provided the “common man” with tools not only to expose their lives but also to seek more knowledge. Indeed, many academic researches have come under scrutiny by the public, leading not to admiration but to mockery.

Who can forget various memes circulating about research on topics that, when not irrelevant, are downright ridiculous, as demonstrated by Gazeta do Povo in the article “Ten unusual monographs funded with public money – Master’s dissertations and doctoral theses from public universities include studies on the funk singer Mr. Catra and vlogger Felipe Neto.”

Millions of reais are invested in these so-called academic researches that lead to nothing and certainly do not improve the lives of the population funding them. It involves scholarships, travels, repository subscriptions, and many other expenses financed with public funds.

That being said, we must emphasize that we conduct our research with our own resources, which are employed in field research and data treatment, not in “borderless vacations” and the like. The majority of our work is “boots on the ground,” meaning it involves physically going to locations to conduct pure and real research.

The information we collect does not come from others; it is ours. We nurture various databases with colossal amounts of primary source records and do not rely, like the so-called academics, on foreigners to endorse or guide us; we chart our own course.

Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to empirical research, always conducted within the strictest methods and legal norms, always in agreement with local political and indigenous leaders, to advance episteme.

We will not allow the “Gods of Academic Olympus” to coerce us into stopping our work, and we certainly will not bow to threats from actors funded by external big capital, interested in hindering Brazil’s development.

Signed by:

Board of Directors of the Dakila Ecosystem

Director of Dakila Pesquisas

Research Directors of Dakila Pesquisas