Publishers are twisting themselves in knots trying to explain why open access without an embargo is a bad idea. Here we have a representative from the American Mathematical Society (AMS), which publishes some 25 journals, 80 books per year. "(We) even have our own print shop and warehouse for our books and journals — print still being a vital part of mathematical culture," writes Robert Harington. "Publishing accounts for 70% of operational revenues." Now all that - from my perspective - is the problem, not something to be proud of. Anyhow, his main argument is that open access makes it hard for junior academics to publish, because of article processing fees (APC). Maybe. But expensive print publications make it a lot harder for them. Maybe it's time for the AMS to shut down its printing press and stop holding back the field and use that remaining 30% to offer fees-free open academic publications.
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