This is a great point. Lots of different initiatives could let CS researchers maintain their independence without having to take too much risk. One thing could

This is a great point. Lots of different initiatives could let CS researchers maintain their independence without having to take too much risk. One thing could be universal income, which is sort of getting pilot testing in a few places now. Another one could be more sane funding structures. For example, ARIA UK will be trying to fund high-value projects and they are aware that they need to cut out middlemen / rent-seekers that plague Academia.