Because reddit makes you think it’s needed. It’s cheeky you have to skip the email entry or leave it empty with nothing telling you that it’s optional.

You’re right on the spot with media reporting on this.

To be fair the vast majority of scientists will take other factors into account. If you thought of “this could also be because of that” then you can be sure that the scientists and the ones reviewing the publication also thought about it and addressed it. There are exceptions, sure, but don’t just assume everyone is bad at their job.

Shit I didn’t know oauth means you got to tell the truth on the internet.

Not even economic. There’s all of the textbooks on LibGen. Having access to those means even poor people can get a shot at learning with expensive textbooks. Having easier access to education means the population can be more productive and work in high impact fields.