What do Monty Python, George Akerlof, and the academic publishing industry have in common? They're all part of the explanation for the way academic publishing works. High transaction costs and the race for tenure often push scholars to prioritize quantity over quality.

So, if you've ever wondered why professors seem to produce endless streams of research, this episode is for you. Plus the TWEJ, a triple-header!

Some links:

1. Some images sent by EA, about "Desert Town", by Claude Gillot
Two carriages at an intersection, arguing about who gets to go first
A drawing of same, with a judge to determine the merits of the claims

2. The Insectivore's Dilemma: An actual instant of the "eat a bug!" coupon.

3. George Akerlof and the "Loyalty Filters" article in the American Economic Review, 73(1), 54–63.

4. Kevin Munger and the Journal of Quantitative Description

If you have questions or comments, or want to suggest a future topic, email the show at [email protected] !

You can follow Mike Munger on Twitter at @mungowitz

Academic Publishing, Talking Frogs, and Nailing Your Head to the Floor