Scientific publishing is a rip-off. We fund the research – it should be free | George Monbiot

Those who take on the global industry that traps research behind paywalls are heroes, not thievesNever underestimate the power of one determined person. What Carole Cadwalladr has done to Facebook and big data, and Edward Snowden has done to the state security complex, Alexandra Elbakyan has done to the multibillion-dollar industry that traps knowledge behind paywalls. Sci-Hub, her pirate web scraper service, has done more than any government to tackle one of the biggest rip-offs of the modern era: the capture of publicly funded research that should belong to us all. Everyone should be free to learn; knowledge should be disseminated as widely as possible. No one would publicly disagree with these sentiments. Yet governments and universities have allowed the big academic publishers to deny these rights. Academic publishing might sound like an obscure and fusty affair, but it uses one of the most ruthless and profitable business models of any industry.The model was pioneered by the notorious conman Robert Maxwell. He realised that, because scientists need to be informed about all significant developments in their field, every journal that publishes academic papers can establish a monopoly and charge outrageous fees for the transmission of knowledge. He called his discovery “a perpetual financing machine”. He also realised that he could capture other people’s labour and resources for nothing. Governments funded the research published by his company, Pergamon, while... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #alexandra elbakyan #modern era #academic publishing #significant developments #technical term

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Scientific publishing is a rip-off. We fund the research – it should be free | George Monbiot'

An Eco-Friendly Approach to Publishing: Close-up on HP Publishing Solutions

With print-on-demand technology, environmentally friendly inks, sustainable paper choices, and a global reach, HP is looking to help publishers lower their carbon footprints. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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When Can I Go Back to School? Self-published lockdown story lands major publisher

‘Gentle, honest’ book, written by Anna Friend in response to her seven-year-old son’s worries, wins five-figure deal with ScholasticA self-published children’s picture book that was written to help the author’s son deal with being kept home from school during lockdown has been snapped up by a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-02-20 07:00:25 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble's Book Publishing Arm Gets a New Publisher

The bookseller has hired Emily Meehan as publisher and chief creative officer of Sterling Publishing in what it called part of a relaunch of its publishing division. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-01-15 05:00:00 UTC ]
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AAP’s 2020 Freedom to Publish Award: Bangladesh’s Jagriti Publishing House

The Jagriti Publishing House and its bookstore are Razia Rahman Joly's memorial to her slain husband, publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan. The post AAP’s 2020 Freedom to Publish Award: Bangladesh’s Jagriti Publishing House appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-12-17 19:19:51 UTC ]
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Publishers Association hails ‘biggest year ever for UK publishing’ in latest report

The PA’s annual yearbook has found across-the-board growth for the book trade, with total invoiced sales up 3.5% on its last report—but Brexit and Covid-19 could endanger the recent gains Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-22 18:16:32 UTC ]
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Making the Switch from Little Free Libraries to Little Free Pantries

A number of little free library volunteer stewards -- both registered and unregistered with the Little Free Library organization – have switched from filling the mounted boxes in front of their homes with free books to filling them with household items. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Big-hearted strangers turn Little Free Libraries into Little Free Pantries.

Are you desperately searching for proof that there is, in fact, still goodness in this crazy, mixed-up, pandemic-cowed world? You are? Well then, might I direct your attention to this Chicago neighborhood street corner? Seen in my Chicago neighborhood. Sign says “To help our neighbors affected... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-03-18 17:26:32 UTC ]
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Publishing Scotland: 10 Newly Named International Publishing Fellows

Publishing Scotland announces a travel fellowship for 10 publishing professionals from seven countries to promote Scotland's books industry. The post Publishing Scotland: 10 Newly Named International Publishing Fellows appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-03-12 16:45:10 UTC ]
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Publishing Scotland reveals International Publishing Fellows for 2020

Publishing Scotland has announced its new International Publishing Fellows for 2020. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-11 10:20:39 UTC ]
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Ronan Farrow Drops Publisher Over “Wildly Unprofessional” Decision to Publish Woody Allen’s Memoir

The author of Catch and Kill says he won't work with Hachette Book Group after it announced plans to publish his father’s book. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2020-03-04 19:50:27 UTC ]
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Peterson's Publishing Buys B.E.S. Publishing

Peterson’s Publishing has acquired the more than 800 titles of Barron's Educational Series Publishing. Ingram-owned Two Rivers Distribution is now handing sales and distribution for the company. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-19 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Katy Loftus promoted to publisher as Viking expands fiction publishing

Viking is expanding its fiction publishing programme and has bolstered its team by promoting Katy Loftus to publisher, while Vikki Moynes is also joining from HQ. Loftus, previously editorial director of Viking, is now publisher for the imprint with responsibility for a team dedicated to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-10 04:36:30 UTC ]
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OUP becomes latest publisher to announce US Read and Publish deal

Oxford University Press has announced its first Read and Publish deal with a US institution, with Iowa State University Library. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-03 04:45:41 UTC ]
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One of the largest book publishers in the world announces new publisher.

Andy Ward has been named a new vice president and publisher at Random House. Formerly editor in chief, Ward moves into the spot long held by the beloved Susan Kamil, who died in September. Ward has edited the likes of David Mitchell, George Saunders, and Imbolo Mbue, and will see his role as... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-19 15:22:43 UTC ]
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Publishers prepare for Work in Publishing Week

Publishers including And Other Stories, Cambridge University Press and HarperCollins are preparing to take part in Work in Publishing Week, a campaign to inspire young people aged 14–24 to pursue a career in publishing. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-13 04:20:22 UTC ]
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Morrison joins Echo Publishing as associate publisher

Bonnier Books' Sydney-based publisher Echo Publishing has appointed Tegan Morrison as associate publisher. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-11 20:32:57 UTC ]
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Damon Reiss Named V-P, Publisher of W Publishing

Thomas Nelson has appointed Damon Reiss to v-p, publisher of its W Publishing imprint, effective immediately. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-08 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Emirates Publishers Association Opens Educational Publishing Seminar

Grounded in discussions on supporting UAE-based education publishers, this two-day program includes road-mapping sessions to plan the next five years. The post Emirates Publishers Association Opens Educational Publishing Seminar appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-10-28 05:15:12 UTC ]
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Digiday Publishing Summit Event Briefing: Why publishers need to think like gyms to retain subscribers

At this week's Digiday Publishing Summit Europe in Budapest, Hungary, executives discussed how they are looking to diversify their sources of income and the inevitable pain points that come with that exercise. The post Digiday Publishing Summit Event Briefing: Why publishers need to think like... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2019-10-25 04:00:05 UTC ]
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