>So why can't reviewers just start working independently? because trust and reputation in institutions is stronger than trust in individuals (which is ephemera

>So why can't reviewers just start working independently? because trust and reputation in institutions is stronger than trust in individuals (which is ephemeral) and fields like scientific research consist of communities who only really can function under high levels of trust. Journals, just like physical universities exist because they can accumulate that degree of trust and it's why top researchers go to Oxford and not to Khan Academy. It's also why corporations exist and we're not all freelancers on the internet.