The old-school research parks like Bell Labs, Xerox Parc, Microsoft Research, etc. actually reinforce the GP's point. The researchers at these places were given

The old-school research parks like Bell Labs, Xerox Parc, Microsoft Research, etc. actually reinforce the GP's point. The researchers at these places were given a LOT of "leisure time" AKA free reign to choose their projects. Not unlike 20% time in the glory days of Google. A viable counter-point might be the Princeton Institute for Advanced Studies, AKA where senior scientists like Einstein go to live out their days in leisure without contributing anything of value.