This may not be limited to academia. It sounds very similar to the startup community; everyone is always looking for a sexy idea, but there are so many older an

This may not be limited to academia. It sounds very similar to the startup community; everyone is always looking for a sexy idea, but there are so many older and inefficient industries that are likely ripe for disruption. It kind of feels like an uncanny valley effect - an effort that's immediately doable isn't as interesting (perhaps because anyone could do it). But a more radical notion is more fun.