Editor's Synopsis
Andrew Ng highlights one of the reasons behind machine learning's success as a field: its openness and inclusivity toward a wide range of work. He notes that he cannot think of a single example where someone developed a machine learning algorithm and was criticized by senior community members for it not being "real" machine learning. The implication is that this welcoming culture — where gatekeeping is minimal — has allowed the field to flourish by encouraging diverse contributions and experimentation.
The post appears to be a commentary on academic and professional culture within the ML community, likely contrasting it with other fields or subfields where definitional gatekeeping may stifle innovation. Ng's observation underscores the value of an inclusive intellectual environment in driving progress.