@wtgowers Whether it be a poem or a proof, literature is a conversation between a writer and a reader. I see no basis for the argument that there must be necessarily be referee between them. Benefit if there be any accrues solely to the referee at the expense the writer and the reader.
@mbeisen@eLife@TanentzapfLab I note in passing that posting on arxiv has nothing to do with the quality of the work but only on being able to find some people to shill for you.