[zmachinaz]

Might go back to this model over time. Guess it is no secret that academia is in strong decline. Lot of excellent people just don't bother anymore to enter that circus. They might do their own independent research after they succeeded financially.

[boringg]

Too expensive to get access to what is needed for independent research.

[birdman3131]

It is possible to do surprising amounts on a shoestring budget. Ive seen cheap (Sub $1k) electron microscopes go up for sale. As well as a ton of other lab equipment.

[zmachinaz]

Do you think research equipment was cheap during the time of "aristocrat scientists" ? The point being here "after they succeeded financially".