One of the scientists in my group came to me with a request to buy a piece of machinery the nature of which I’m not at liberty to divulge. Protocol dictates I run his proposal up the chain of command. No one but the two of us are familiar with this expensive new toy and therefore no one but the two of us understand its true capabilities. If I seek the approval of my superiors, I will delay the project by months. Our company pays top dollar and attracts the best talent from around the globe. Impatient by nature, my scientists are accustomed to action, to conducting high level science without hindrance or obstruction. I think the proposal is sound. I also rarely stick my neck out quite this far.