Radiolab – The Library of Alexandra

Intro

In this episode of Radiolab, titled “The Library of Alexandria,” the hosts explore the story of SyHub, a powerful search engine for academic articles and journals. They delve into the fight for open access to scientific research, the enigmatic figure behind SyHub, and the ongoing legal battles surrounding the website. Join them as they uncover the impact of SyHub and the future of open access in the academic world.

Main Takeaways

The Power of SyHub

• SyHub is a powerful and free search engine for academic articles and journals.
• It simplifies the process of finding articles and journals by providing a single search field.
• SyHub is a cornerstone for journalists and students alike to learn and do their jobs.
• Without SyHub, academic articles can cost up to $100, while SyHub provides them for free.
• SyHub makes everything we know about anything available to everyone anywhere.

The Fight for Open Access

• SIHUB is a global network fighting for access to scientific knowledge.
• SIHUB is used by scientists, students, journalists, lawyers, and regular people.
• All papers on SIHUB are copyrighted and giving them out for free is illegal.
• The fight for open access to scientific research and the question of who owns it has been going on for decades.
• Aaron Schwartz was a computer programmer who was heavily involved in the fight for open access to scientific research and was arrested for downloading scientific papers from JStore. He killed himself before the trial was finished.

The Dominance of Profit Publishers

• Big four profit publishers dominate scholarly article publishing.
• Publishers don’t fund research, but charge for access to it.
• Peer reviewers and researchers are not paid, but editors are.
• Publishers argue their work offers quality control and sets standards.
• Publishers receive high profits, more than Apple or Google.

The Enigmatic Alexandra Elbakyan

• Syhub, a site housing over 90% of every article ever published, was created by one person.
• Alexandra Elbachev, a 33-year-old from Kazakhstan, is the sole operator of Syhub.
• Alexandra’s 90-page Russian autobiography is titled “Autobiography 1.1” and is written in hacker text.
• Alexandra was born in Kazakhstan in 1988 and built her first website at age 12 and hacked her first website at age 14.
• She studied computer science and worked in various labs in Germany and the US, mainly in neuroscience, but had conflicts with her research assistants and superiors.

The Legal Battles and Future of SyHub

• Alexandra founded Sihub in 2011, which distributed material without legal rights, resulting in a $15 million damages award to publishers, which she never paid.
• The FBI suspects she is being protected by Russian intelligence operations and have subpoenaed her Google and Apple data.
• Alexandra is mysterious and doesn’t do many interviews, but she is very active online and communicates through text.
• Eli was able to arrange an interview with her in Kazakhstan after weeks of silence.
• Alexandra denies accusations of being a Russian spy.

Summary

The Power of SyHub and the Fight for Open Access

SyHub, a powerful search engine for academic articles and journals, has revolutionized the way people access scientific knowledge. It provides a free and simplified search process, making it an invaluable tool for journalists, students, and researchers. The fight for open access to scientific research has been ongoing for years, with organizations like SIHUB advocating for free access to knowledge. However, profit publishers continue to dominate the scholarly article publishing industry, charging exorbitant fees for access to research that should be freely available. The tragic story of Aaron Schwartz highlights the dire consequences of this battle for open access.

The Enigmatic Alexandra Elbakyan and the Legal Battles Surrounding SyHub

Alexandra Elbakyan, the enigmatic figure behind SyHub, has played a pivotal role in the open access movement. Born in Kazakhstan, Alexandra’s passion for computer science and hacking led her to create SyHub, a platform that houses over 90% of every published article. Despite facing legal battles and accusations, Alexandra remains active online and communicates through text. The FBI suspects her ties to Russian intelligence, adding an air of mystery to her story. However, her fight for open access has made her a symbol of resistance against profit publishers.

The Future of SyHub and the Impact of Open Access

While SyHub is currently embroiled in legal battles, its impact on the academic world cannot be denied. It has opened doors for millions of people to access scientific research that would otherwise be inaccessible due to high costs. The open access movement has gained significant traction, with over 50% of new academic papers already published in open access. The US government has also pledged support for open access, promising that federally funded papers will be freely available by 2026. Despite the challenges faced by SyHub, it has set an example and paved the way for a future where academic research is accessible to all.

Conclusion

The story of SyHub and its founder, Alexandra Elbakyan, showcases the power of technology in democratizing access to scientific knowledge. While legal battles and controversies surround SyHub, it has become a symbol of the fight for open access to research. The impact of SyHub and the open access movement is evident in the progress made towards free access to academic papers. As the world moves towards a future where knowledge is freely accessible, the legacy of SyHub and Alexandra Elbakyan will continue to inspire and shape the academic landscape.