The discussion centers around the ethical implications and practicality of selling authorship of a scientific paper intended for publication in a moderately high impact factor journal. Participants express skepticism about the idea, emphasizing that selling a paper undermines the integrity of science and suggesting that recognition and authorship are more valuable than monetary compensation. Concerns are raised about the potential for misrepresentation and the negative impact on one's career, with recommendations to publish the work instead to gain grants and further scientific opportunities. The conversation also touches on the misconception that literary agents could assist in this context, clarifying that they do not handle scientific articles. The thread concludes with a warning against the unethical practice of passing off purchased work as one's own.
