It seems to me that the main problem is CYA. A scientist shouldn't have to worry about maintaining their positions when trying something new or unorthodox.
It seems to mirror what hackers experience when working for large or traditionally-minded companies. The hacker wants to do things unorthodoxically (use a non-Java programming language, a non-Windows OS, a non-Oracle database, less enterprisey software, etc.), but the company resists due to the managers' concerns that approving such "risky" things could harm their employment or advancement.
In the end, both scientists and hackers have to seek alternative methods to pursue what we want. And even though that often can result in what looks like failure, both groups know that's where they trully learn new things and break new ground. And that usually means that the next time around, we're more likely to succeed in ways that advance technology and scientific knowledge.
It seems to mirror what hackers experience when working for large or traditionally-minded companies. The hacker wants to do things unorthodoxically (use a non-Java programming language, a non-Windows OS, a non-Oracle database, less enterprisey software, etc.), but the company resists due to the managers' concerns that approving such "risky" things could harm their employment or advancement.
In the end, both scientists and hackers have to seek alternative methods to pursue what we want. And even though that often can result in what looks like failure, both groups know that's where they trully learn new things and break new ground. And that usually means that the next time around, we're more likely to succeed in ways that advance technology and scientific knowledge.