[BOAI] Re: The affordability problem vs. the accessibility problem

[Allen Kleiman]

I too do not wish to engage in marathon debate.
 
One final comment!
 
Authors do not write for free.
 
1.  Publication = Tenure = Promotion = Money!
 
2. Publication = Prestige = Speaking Engagements = Money!
 
3. Publication = Professorships = Money!
 
4. and etc. 
 
Have a Good day!

 
  _____  

From: boai-forum-bounces at ecs.soton.ac.uk
[mailto:boai-forum-bounces at ecs.soton.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Stevan Harnad
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2011 5:12 PM
To: BOAI Forum
Cc: American Scientist Open Access Forum
Subject: [BOAI] Re: The affordability problem vs. the accessibility problem


On 2011-11-06, at 4:08 PM, Allen Kleiman wrote:



Is this a matter of 'commerce'?


Yes indeed, but definitely not commerce along the lines of the analogy you
describe below:



Suppose I own a car and [1] offer it for sale to a rental company with [2]
the verification of its reliability and safety by two or three mechanics of
questionable qualifications and skill. However, [3] I want to include a
condition of sale that the buyer will make the car available to all the poor
people in my town for free since they can't afford to pay for the rental.
 
When a Publisher offers to print an article -- certified by referees of
questionable repute -- and [4] absorbs the cost of publication,
distribution, and etc., isn't he entitled to [5] retain the rights of sale?


Now let me count the myriad ways your analogy fails:

 [1] offer [car] for sale: No, authors don't sell but give their paper to
the publisher. They don't ask or get a penny in return.

 [2] verification of [car's] reliability: The referees, too, offer their
services for free -- but to the publisher, not the author.

 [3] condition[s] of sale: No sale, no sale conditions. Author gives the
paper to the publisher for free.

[4] cost of publication, distribution, and etc.  In exchange for managing
and certifying the outcome of the refereeing ("by referees of questionable
repute"), the author gives the publisher is given all rights to sell, on
paper or online.

[5] retain the rights of sale:  In exchange for managing and certifying the
outcome of the refereeing ("by referees of questionable repute"), the author
gives the publisher is given all rights to sell, on paper or online.

In addition, the author simply places a free copy of the author's final
draft ("certified by referees of questionable repute") online for those who
cannot afford to pay for access to the publisher's version of record, on
paper or online.

That's Green OA.


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