As with HN, his G+ threads to such articles tend to be dominated by discussion of the paywall rather than the article. The evidence is convincing that information generally ought to be a public good and be provided (and paid for) as same. See in particular Joseph Stiglitz on this:
*Today we recognize that knowledge is not only a public good but also a global or international public good. We have also come to recognize that knowledge is central to successful development. The international community, through institutions like the World Bank, has a collective responsibility for the creation and dissemination of one global public good—knowledge for development.
Though I could cite you any number of other experts on this -- Pamela Samuelson, copyright law specialist, comes to mind: "Copyright has become the single most serious impediment to access to knowledge."
http://sfgate.com/opinion/article/Aaron-Swartz-Opening- access-to-knowledge-4224697.php