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Yeah, it's not a matter of the "culture" at all. It's just a matter of low pay, long hours, and minuscule chances of job security and advancement.

(He says as he writes his thesis and prepares to start his postdoc.)

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Honestly I would be happy if I just got paid as a 100% FTE. I'm literally in the lab all the time, this 50% nonsense is BS. They say it's because international students are restricted to 20 hours per week, so okay just double the pay then and still call it 50%. The salary for my current work is super low anyhow, I'd be making way more if I got a job at big pharma with my current degrees

I toggle around with the idea that the system is designed or heavily influenced to be like this to benefit the big-industries and rich people. Have talent but need money? Work for big industry. Have money and can afford to stay in school? Get some patents and get more rich. I know this is a bit tin foil hat-ish.

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