I don't disagree with the pathologies you're pointing out, but I don't agree that this was caused by the mere act of imposing standards and practices. And even

I don't disagree with the pathologies you're pointing out, but I don't agree that this was caused by the mere act of imposing standards and practices. And even if publishing conventions are part of the problem, doing away with all convention is likely to make things worse, not better. It would amount to throwing the baby away with the bathwater.