“With a Little Help from My Friends”

As I step into my new role as editor of this esteemed scientific journal, the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, I am reminded of a simple yet profound lesson that has guided me throughout my career in science: progress is never a solitary endeavor. In fact, it is the result of collaboration, the exchange of ideas, and the collective effort of a community. Just as the legendary Beatles song suggests, “With a little help from my friends”, the scientific journey we embark upon is rarely one we undertake alone.

Science, at its core, is a cooperative process. Each discovery, every breakthrough, and every question that pushes the boundaries of human knowledge emerges not in isolation but in the context of the ideas, critiques, and perspectives shared by others. The world of research is interwoven with partnerships—whether between researchers from different disciplines, reviewers and editorial board members, or even collaborations between editors from Japan and Germany that span continents.

But just as collaboration is vital, it is equally important to foster a community that embraces support and constructive feedback. Peer review, for instance, is not just a gatekeeping mechanism but a vital part of refining ideas and elevating research. It is a reminder that science is not a pursuit for ego, but a shared mission for truth. This is a space where our “friends”—the fellow researchers, the reviewers, and the critics—help us sharpen our work to its finest form.

As a new editor, I view my role not just as an editor of papers, but as a cultivator of this supportive environment. I hope to create a space where researchers feel empowered to collaborate, to challenge each other, and to share not only their successes but their failures as well. Failures, after all, are just as important in the scientific process as successes. It is in the moments of uncertainty and struggle that true growth occurs, and in these moments, the guidance of peers and colleagues can often be the key to finding the way forward.

This journal, like the German Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology, and the associated Swiss, Luxembourg, and Austrian Societies it serves, thrives because of the collaboration between editors, reviewers, authors, and readers. Our ability to provide constructive criticism, support novel ideas, and embrace innovation is what will propel us into the future.

So, as we look toward the future of this journal, I invite you to join the editors in this collective effort. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or just starting your journey, your voice, your ideas, and your collaboration matter. Just as the Beatles (or later Joe Cocker in his legendary version) sing:

“Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Mmm, I get high with a little help from my friends

Ooh, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.”

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
01. August 2025