This paper attempts to demonstrate, with the help of a simple economic model, that the present trend toward low-cost and low-quality publication of scientific work may be beneficial for the individual publisher but is harmful to the community as a whole.

Active expressions like “the table lists” and “the figure shows” are preferable to passive sentences beginning “data are listed” and “results are displayed.” Convening information clearly and vigorously is often more important than rigorous adherence to semantics. However, data and results shouldn't “argue” or “proclaim” those activities are the responsibility of the author. This point of view is also applied to detached participlesing words that don't have a noun to belong to.

Standard advice to writers prohibits the use of nouns as verbs. Although Shakespeare converted many nouns to verbs with great effect, times have changed and newly coined verbs are overused by headline writers and often have a brusque or coarse undertone. Five ground rules are given for using nouns as verbs with discretion.

The movement toward improved written technical communication has generated little parallel pressure for improved oral communication. Yet the cost of noncommunicative technical talks is large. Attention by speakers to several simple details will result in significant improvements in technical talks. The most important of these details is to present conclusions as close to the beginning of the talk as possible. This simple action will help change a talk from a mystery story to an understandable scientific presentation.

The movement toward improved written technical communications has generated little parallel pressure for improved oral communication. Yet the cost of noncommunicative technical talks is large. Attention by speakers to several simple details will result in significant improvements in technical talks. The most important of these details is to present conclusions as close to the beginning of the talk as possible. This simple action will help change a talk from a mystery story to an understandable scientific presentation.