Fortunately, this may be a false dichotomy. Many journals are fine if you post something on a blog or a 'working paper' on an open site like arxiv while you pu

Fortunately, this may be a false dichotomy. Many journals are fine if you post something on a blog or a 'working paper' on an open site like arxiv while you put it through the peer review process. if you are doing something that is timely, be aware that academic journals can take over a year to go through the peer review + revision process (months to hear back, month to revise, months to hear back, scheduled for several issues ahead -- not uncommon). you're definitely better off having gone through the other side, though -- even if the paper doesn't turn out to spread virally (most ideas, even good ones, don't) -- the validation of the academic review can stay with you + your CV.