Academia vs. Industry: The Difference Is in the Punctuation Marks

I draw a parallel of what John Maeda is saying of punctuation to that of research: basic versus applied.

Basic research is naturally exploratory, taking winding roads, many of which do not end at any obvious fruitful conclusion. Academia (or independent wealth) is the most nurturing environment for basic research, but from what I've been reading and hearing over the years, that is changing as academia behaves more like business.

Applied research, on the other hand, is focused with deadlines and products in mind. It has the benefit of basic research to pool together concrete concepts and strategies for new technologies and products.

Some few companies can afford to do basic research, most can't or won't. That's why we need academia to do it. If they don't, who will?

Punctuation marks....

Academia - $8.00 per hour...

Industry - $80.00 per hour...

Don't you just love college interns....

;)

so i guess he's saying academics are a lot more annoying and a lot less productive??