I think the accessability of publication has lead to a broader sampling of the normal curve, and as a result the overall quality of scientific literature is in

I think the accessability of publication has lead to a broader sampling of the normal curve, and as a result the overall quality of scientific literature is in decline. I imagine that just 50 years ago University was for a select elite, whether by nature or nurture, and the cost of running and printing journals pre internet ensured prioritization of a scarce resource. Nowadays publishing is relatively cheap and that coupled with what I imagine is a modern use of publication numbers as a KPI means lots of noise. I felt it personally in grad school. If you objectively observe the work of yourself and your peers in such an environment, you may notice that there's a reason that none of you got into the Ivy Leagues.