They made more sense before the internet, when the transfer of information was not nearly as easy. With that being said, there is not much reason for them to exist anymore.

[–] gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de 20 points 4 days ago

The reason why journals exist is because they're supposed to do filtering of bad papers. Whether they actually do that, of course, is another question. And whether it could be done in a (much) better way than it's currently done is also an important question for academia.

[–] B0rax@feddit.org 22 points 4 days ago

As long as academias obsession with „if you didn’t publish there (for example Nature), your paper is not worth much“ is still going on, nothing will change.

[–] prex@aussie.zone 33 points 4 days ago (1 children)

[–] 14th_cylon@lemmy.zip 48 points 4 days ago (2 children)

once parasite like this finds a way to attach itself to a host, it is surprisingly hard to get rid off it. it is basically prisoner's dilemma, if everyone leaves, you all won, but if it is just you who leave, you will lose compared to others. no one wants to be the first to leave and risk losing.

[–] hitmyspot@aussie.zone 9 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Just like lots more parasitic parts of society that depend on the network effect. Amazon, Facebook, political parties, uber etc etc.

[–] pleksi@sopuli.xyz 0 points 3 days ago

Religion?

[–] Apytele@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

☝️

[–] Gladaed@feddit.org 14 points 4 days ago

We do need a rigorous review process. Just accepting substandard papers and mal attribution from a bum duck nowhere "university" is unacceptable.

That being said the current way of monetization and margins are also bad. And we might need higher standards.

[–] Jolteon@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago

This comic is especially relevant because the academics that hold out the longest are going to be the ones who are hurt the worst.

[–] ranzispa@mander.xyz 2 points 4 days ago

Elbakyan, we need you!