New in the Guardian: Academic publishers have become the enemies of science
January 16, 2012
Just a quick note that my article Academic publishers have become the enemies of science is now up on the Guardian’s Science Blog. Spread the word!
(You’re welcome to comment here, of course, but if you post your comments on the Guardian site, they will be much more widely read. Registration is very quick and free.)
Rebbachisauridae incertae sedis MMCH-Pv 49, anterior cervical vertebra (MMCH-Pv 49/11) in right lateral (reversed) and anterior views (Haluza et al. 2012:fig 2A-B)
Sauropod Vertebra Picture of the Week 
January 16, 2012 at 9:36 pm
They are talking about this in the New York Times and the Guardian.
Hmmm..
It’s looking like the publishers attempt to sponser this legislation may be their “let them eat cake” moment.
LeeB.
January 17, 2012 at 1:12 am
This attitude assumes too much.
Many papers have been authored by people long since dead and most people only have copies of their work in hard copy in a few labs here and there. Often though electronic copies do exist… behind paywalls. Many journals though don’t offer full access to their older articles with the standard institutional licensing and as more libraries begin to liquidate their physical copies of books using the argument that the resources are available online (when this isn’t necessarily true)…. it’s going to become harder to find papers.
So yes, emailing or tweeting for papers is effective for new papers, not so much for stuff written ages ago, especially if your area of interest isn’t dominated by many other workers.
January 17, 2012 at 1:16 am
Anyway, great article Mike. Good to have someone so articulate arguing at the forefront.
I just wish people would be more forthright in calling this what it is:
Corruption.
January 17, 2012 at 7:47 am
“I just wish people would be more forthright in calling this what it is: Corruption.”
Let’s just note briefly that the Guardian’s legal team looked at the draft before it was posted.
January 17, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Lawyers sap the fun out of everything ;)
January 17, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Useful info on how to fight the RWA, especially (but not only) if you’re a US citizen, is here.
January 26, 2012 at 12:37 pm
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