I'm not surprised this didn't happen earlier. The pandemic disrupted everything and gave people a good reason to rethink their life choices. Industry salaries g

I'm not surprised this didn't happen earlier. The pandemic disrupted everything and gave people a good reason to rethink their life choices. Industry salaries grew faster than academic salaries. Teaching became more stressful and less rewarding. Instead of being in the same place with other people with similar interests, you had to do research remotely from your tiny apartment. And because you were probably far away from home, travel restrictions often prevented you from seeing your friends and family. The academia started looking much worse, and getting a job where you can choose where you live became even more attractive.