This isn't just about the academia. As soon as you want to write about any technical subject, even if it's only for your own personal use, you need to study the

This isn't just about the academia. As soon as you want to write about any technical subject, even if it's only for your own personal use, you need to study the relevant literature. Often this means reading dozens of papers. There's no way a normal person who isn't working at a university or research institution can afford that.