It’s a numbers game.

• X submits paper to Journal 1, and peers A,B,C reject it.
• X submits paper with minor changes to Journal 2, and only peers D and E reject it.
• X submits paper with minor changes to Journal 3, and only peer G rejects it
• X submits paper with minor changes to Journal 4, and no one rejects it.

Journal 4 increments prestige, Scientist X increments prestige, but nothing true or good is actually gained.

Science.