Stockholm science: the syndrome, not the city!!!

Abstract The development of scientific knowledge is crucial for the modernization of society, but the way this knowledge is disseminated also has a significant impact. Since the creation of the first scientific societies and journals, the traditional publishing model has been largely dominated by publishers, restricting access to scientific findings. The open-access model, introduced in the 1990s, initially aimed to democratize access but has gradually transformed into a profitable system based on article processing charges, creating a cycle of exclusion. Scientists, especially young ones or those from underfunded groups, face significant financial barriers to publishing in prestigious journals. The dependence on these models is creating hierarchical divisions in science, leading to a system that, despite its democratic origins, perpetuates inequalities and limits innovation.