This highlights a weird quirk of the academic model. It shouldn't matter who solved the problem; as long as the problem is solved.<p>Since everything is individual reputation based, you can effectively 'steal' someone's research. I'm all for a meritocracy, but this is pretty weird.<p>OTOH, understanding the politics and what's going on in general as an undergrad is very confusing and stressful. Who knows what the reality of the situation is?