Revistas decepcionantes: zombis, tortugas y marcas blancas en la publicación científica

Abstract

In this text, I reflect on the current state of scientific publishing, an ecosystem that has become, in many cases, deeply disappointing. I analyze several types of journals that frustrate and mislead authors: predatory journals, which prioritize economic gain over scientific rigor; hijacked journals, fraudulent imitations of legitimate titles; and zombie journals, formerly prestigious publications now turned into opaque business ventures. I also discuss turtle journals, which indefinitely delay the peer-review process; usurious journals, which charge exorbitant publication fees; and franchised or white-label journals, which exploit the prestige of major publishers to sell, in many cases, second-rate science. Through these examples, I show how the system has evolved into a productivist and inequitable model that undermines academic integrity. I argue that the solution lies in recovering common sense: publishing less but better, reinforcing editorial ethics, properly rewarding the work of reviewers and editors, and promoting more responsible and fair evaluation practices.