This is a great point about differentiating between filler and seminal papers. And I actually think the word filler is spot on for two reasons.
Firstly, this reminds me of a blog post about what it means to get a PhD [1]. The problem with that view is that the circle of human knowledge is drawn as a solid, while in reality it is very holey. So seminal papers push the border outward, while filler papers fill in the holes. Both valid and necessary, but general public only cares about advancing the borders.
Also, filler papers are needed not only for the sake of completeness, but scientists need papers to demonstrate productivity. E.g. graduate students needs papers on their CV so they can prove to their next employer that they are productive and capable of serious research. So these filler papers also "fill" the role of "filling" up people's resume. The public seem to think that professors publish papers only to announce to the world about their great discoveries, but 90% of the time its filler papers just reporting on business as usual type progress.
Firstly, this reminds me of a blog post about what it means to get a PhD [1]. The problem with that view is that the circle of human knowledge is drawn as a solid, while in reality it is very holey. So seminal papers push the border outward, while filler papers fill in the holes. Both valid and necessary, but general public only cares about advancing the borders.
Also, filler papers are needed not only for the sake of completeness, but scientists need papers to demonstrate productivity. E.g. graduate students needs papers on their CV so they can prove to their next employer that they are productive and capable of serious research. So these filler papers also "fill" the role of "filling" up people's resume. The public seem to think that professors publish papers only to announce to the world about their great discoveries, but 90% of the time its filler papers just reporting on business as usual type progress.
[1] https://bretcontreras.com/the-illustrated-guide-to-a-phd/