[peteretep]

Paid editorial and peer review? Also, if a print-copy is being produced, someone has to type-set it, even if there's also a digital copy.

[s0rce]

Peer review is not paid. I assume costs are for the staff editors (PhDs), copy editors, type setters, print and distribution costs, etc.

Source: I have published in nature

[001sky]

Sounds like the NFL without paying the players or coaches.

[jrockway]

So if you want to get rich and you chose academia as your field, I have bad news for you.

I like to think that people write and review papers because they care about their field and its future. I could be wrong.

[gpvos]

Still no reason for the journals to rip them off though.

[001sky]

Ah, the love of the game.