Response to Stephen Downes

["Joseph J. Esposito" <espositoj@xxxxxxx>]

Stephen Downes wrote the following:

>I don't think that anybody denies the need to filter raw content. Rather, I
think that the question is whether this function should continue to be
centralized in the hands of a few organizations, and whether we should
continue to pay such a high price for this service.

JE:  I am in complete agreement with Mr. Downes.  The current system is
unwieldy for many and expensive.  Sounds like the mainframe computer when
the PC came along, no?  What I would like to propose is that there is
another response to this situation, which has the benefit of working within
the constraints of the business infrastructure, namely, to build a
competitive business that undermines the "value proposition," as we business
people call it, of the entrenched commercial publishers.  A vow to "make
less money" doesn't do it, but a vow to "provide better service to our
customers" may.   (Part of that better service would be reflected in
pricing.)  It is a source of wonder to me how the commercial journals
publishers have managed to antagonize their customers.

Why go the business route instead of having this picked up largely through
volunteer work and indirect institutional support?  Because the business
route is self-funding and imposes organizational discipline.  No other
reason.  It will be hard for volunteers to sustain a high level of
commitment over a long period of time.  So much of publishing is drudgery.
No, I don't think that the folks behind SPARC should stop what they are
doing.  Publishing has a pluralistic future.

Joe

Joseph J. Esposito
Portable CEO
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