Obviously advancing humanity. But the government is not the source of that problem, at least not how I perceive government to be used.
If they fund research, it should be open, given that taxpayers paid for it. But it is not the government that publishes research, and paywalls are not a result of their actions. Publishing companies are the source of paywalls and often are for profit themselves. Some are even pay-and-publish, giving the appearance of a legitimate paper without the real review.
Government could legislate paywalls away, but that likely won't happen without a big fight from publishers who would stand to lose most of their income.
Research should be open and free, but that really is another topic from this thread.
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Greasetrap ago
Obviously advancing humanity. But the government is not the source of that problem, at least not how I perceive government to be used.
If they fund research, it should be open, given that taxpayers paid for it. But it is not the government that publishes research, and paywalls are not a result of their actions. Publishing companies are the source of paywalls and often are for profit themselves. Some are even pay-and-publish, giving the appearance of a legitimate paper without the real review.
Government could legislate paywalls away, but that likely won't happen without a big fight from publishers who would stand to lose most of their income.
Research should be open and free, but that really is another topic from this thread.