Why young academics are leaving academia
Early-career academics are leaving academia due to precarious contracts, low pay, intense publication pressure, and few permanent roles, pushing talented researchers toward more stable careers elsewhere.
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Paul Graham argues that dropping out of college at 18 to start a startup is ill-advised because young founders often lack the "earned insight" that comes from living inside a specific problem—a trait he says distinguishes successful companies from failing ones.
Garry Tan notes that the best companies have founders with a specific, earned insight from living inside a problem, while struggling startups often have technically competent founders building unrequested products and avoiding honest feedback. However, the latter can improve by staying active, talking to people, and prioritizing learning.