Marks on Paper

this little quirk of academia

where I, the uneducated, seeks to expand their mind

yet the materials I would use to better understand my desired subject matter,

and possibly learn how best to add relevant insight and provoke thoughtful discussion

through careful study of the masters who have come before me

instead of wasting everyone’s time with ignorance and irrelevancies,

are rendered unreachable to me.

Requiring membership or exorbitant fees to view research papers?

I just want to educate myself

I dont have that kind of money

I dont have any credibility

That’s why I want to read!

But perhaps I am being a bit insensitive

They deserve money

They deserve to have their ideas protected from the nefarious

Especially considering the consequences of idea thieves

But what more can they do but educate? So they spread your ideas - they may present them as their own, but they are your ideas (and at the end of the day,your’s are clearly already in print in print? And is that really so bad?

More people are aware of your topic.

They are better able to discuss said topic in your terms.

You have a new audience

and a new group of people to discuss, in a less-tiring manner, your topic

tl;dr I don’t understand why I can’t read research papers online