Academia is functionally no different than a Mafia protection racket, and about as morally defensible. To use a cliche example Einstein did arguably some of his

Academia is functionally no different than a Mafia protection racket, and about as morally defensible. To use a cliche example Einstein did arguably some of his best work while working as a patent clerk. Simply put if you are conversant with the scientific method and have something you wish to do research on, provided you have access to the tools and materials necessary to perform said research, have at.