I agree that the gap for academia to industry is very different for young and established researchers. No, I am not a PhD student (I defended 1.5y ago). And I

I agree that the gap for academia to industry is very different for young and established researchers. No, I am not a PhD student (I defended 1.5y ago). And I saw that I really don't want be a postdoc; not even as a "purgatory" to go through - I didn't envy professors either. While professors do have a lot to say, they are still bound by administrative duties, pointless meetings, maneuvering grant calls so they can use it for something they actually consider useful, etc. Sure, for some its fine (or at least - acceptable; or - they don't have other intellectually challenging job opportunities). Some others (e.g. the ones in the article) are happy to join Google. And I am sure it is not only about money. It's a very different experience than being a professor in 50s or 60s; e.g. one day I talked to (now late) Kenneth Wilson and he told me that he had changed his field overnight (into one that gave him the Nobel prize). Right now it is unimaginable. Sure, I also consider the current shape of academia sad. But... when it comes to the "impractical" dreamers, let's not colorize the past. Vide my another writing: http://crastina.se/theres-no-projects-like-side-projects/ http://crastina.se/theres-no-projects-like-side-projects/ (for academia, look at the John Bell's example).