I think the build up is intended to put you in the heads of the doctors who thought they were onto something... to help us understand how such a thing can happen.<p>It also makes for a great narrative since you are cheering the doctors on because it seems like they are onto something big.<p>But, if you hate reading long articles then steer clear of the new yorker. It&#x27;s kind of the opposite of Reader&#x27;s Digest.