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by Rochus·6y ago·view on hn ↗
Isn't this a typical case of Parkinson's law?

See e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law (didn't find a free version of the book unfortunately).

There is even a fitting example in the book where Parkinson describes how the administration of the British Navy became bigger and bigger although there were fewer and fewer ships to manage. In the present case, one would have to assume analogously that with the introduction of the Internet and the advancing automation, considerable costs were eliminated.

So the question is: have ACM and the other mentioned organizations already reached the tertiary and last stage of INJELITITIS?

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> have ACM and the other mentioned organizations already reached the tertiary and last stage of INJELITITIS?

Frankly, ACM membership and publication is a good deal compared to many other societies. For $200 annual dues, you get unlimited access to all journals.

Contrast to the American Chemical Society. For $175, you get:

1) Access to 50 articles for 48 hours 2) The right to purchase access to additional articles at $12 a pop for 48 hour access.

You want to look at the article again after 48 hours? Pay up again.

[0] https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/membership/member-benefit...

Well, that was not the argument. I agree, there are much greedier organizations around. However, this does not answer the question why the operation of these organisations is so expensive compared to their services. Parkinson has a good explanation though ;-)