article
was my second year as an “independent researcher.” I’m grateful for the freedom that strange job title entails, but it’s certainly not well-defined. I’ve needed to grope around in the dark for patterns and structures which pre-existing institutions and roles would ordinarily provide. To kick off 2021, I’ll share some of what I’ve learned, as well as of the outstanding questions which seem most pertinent. These observations are necessarily quite personal, but I hope they’ll be of interest or use to others considering similar paths.
1. Why work independently?
Why not start a startup?
Why not become an academic?
2. The unexpected success of crowdfunding research
Growing a crowdfunded research grant
Researching in public
What are patrons buying?
My path to sustainability
3. Working alone
Funding, culture, limitations, process
These are unofficial audio versions. Listenly is not affiliated with Andy Matuschak. Read the original essay using its source link.
Duration
~41 minutes (39K characters)