[zipy124]

> If authors have to pony up $1500, they will only do so for journals that have readers

On the other hand predatory journals make a killing from APCs so there is some market for journals with no readers.

[samarthr1]

My university had made it mandatory for students to publish atleast 1 paper to graduate from their bachelors degree, and would pay all the associated fees.

Most kids unfortunately did end up paying to publish.