[laxatives]

I agree with you there. Unfortunately, the greatest motivation to bring in someone outside the country is rarely for their exceptionalism, its usual about making/saving money. And at most institutions, its far more cost effecting to get individuals who are just sufficient and will accept a substantially lower compensation than their domestic peers. The individuals who are exceptional have loads of options/opportunities in their own homeland.

[netheril96]

> The individuals who are exceptional have loads of options/opportunities in their own homeland.

That is simply not true. Most countries do not have the demand, willpower or money to sustain, say, a world-class research institution.

[Chris2048]

There's also the networking effect of wanting to work were there is already an established community.