Paradigm-shifting research can be conducted in both of these seemingly-contradictory environments. The most important common factor is freedom: the freedom to

Paradigm-shifting research can be conducted in both of these seemingly-contradictory environments. The most important common factor is freedom: the freedom to play; to experiment; to pursue whatever seems interesting; to fuck around. An individual conducting research during leisure time is certainly free to pursue whatever seems worthwhile. Similarly, an individual conducting research for an institution willing to lose gobs of money on the whims of its researchers (e.g. Bell Labs) is free to pursue whatever seems worthwhile. True invention of born of creativity and creativity is attenuated by even the lightest shackles.