Every spring, the scholarly publishing community eagerly awaits the arrival of STM Trends — a snapshot of the most significant developments in research and publishing — captured via a single themed image. The dual nature of things — the coexistence of advancements and challenges, the presence of both good and evil, and the occurrence of both progress and setbacks — conjured up the metaphor of the ancient game of Snakes and Ladders. More than 2000 years old, the game was invented in India to teach children about virtues and vices, destiny and desire, good and bad karma. All the good deeds we do, take us closer to the top (ladders), whereas evil makes us slip downwards (snakes, leading us to lower levels for rebirth). Original name: Moksha Patam. View our latest: STM Trends 2027 | Level Up
