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Ask HN: Scientists of HN – how, why, and when did you decide to leave academia?
In particular, how much do you miss unrestricted work on fundamental science?
- dekhn 12y agoI left academia in '06 or '07. However, I still do unrestricted work on fundamental science in my 20% time.
- turnip1979 12y agoI work at an industrial lab so haven't technically left academia. What "unrestricted work on fundamental science do you speak of"? Apart from a few groups at MSR, I don't believe this happens much in industrial labs these days. I do miss my grad school days in case you are wondering :p
- danelectro 12y ago>how . . . did you decide I like to build laboratories, working in an institution would not be as rewarding to me unless I build it myself or it reflects my vision. >why . . . did you decide so I could do better practical (paying) work, including better fundamental science (far-future payoff) than was allowed in established academic or industrial institutions. >when did you decide ASAP. Independent and self-funded, I did not miss as much unrestricted work than I would have in academic or industrial labs which are much more restricted. I consider myself fortunate that I did serve large industrial outfits which were able to pay the bills for so long using only 1 percent of my technical abilities. Don't try this at home.