I was recently asked by a journal to write a brief response to the question, "Do print journals have a future?" What i came up with follows. I realize it is a bit "over the top", and the reasons really refer not only to print but also to open access, but i thought you might get a chuckle out of it. It may also stimulate some further debate. All best wishes, Peter Singer
Top 10 reasons why print journals have a future 1. To keep the post office in business 2. To keep library costs high so Universities can pay professors less 3. To allow children of journal subscribers to use their home computers 4. To let subscribers read scholarly articles in the bathroom 5. To keep paper recycling companies busy and municipal landfill sites full 6. To allow journals to devote half their budgets to printing costs so they dont have to use these resources to improve their editorial processes or services to readers 7. To keep subscription fees high so readers dont squander the money on video-games for their children 8. To sustain traditional brand name journals so University promotion committees can judge research by the journal in which its published rather than the quality of the research itself 9. To limit access of the public to scientific and medical information so they dont question what we do 10. To perpetuate inequities in access to information between developed and developing countries