[srdeveng]

I meant what I said. I believe a lot of researchers (in academia) would do it in their spare time, after hours, weekends, etc, even if it wasn't also their means for income. Their hobby and curiosities happen to align with a job that pays living wage.

Money in the bank is not the end goal for everyone. You can work a job to get paid so that one day you don't have to work anymore. Or, you can work a job that pays sufficiently and you'll happily do until your last days of life.

Lastly, most research is on the brink of discovering something. Whether or not there is a life changing impact (or application whatsoever) as a result of that discovery is another argument all together.