... that said, of course there's some valid criticism of science funding underneath, and (the whole role, purpose, and status of) the academic sphere (with its traditions and privileges) which largely determines the outcome of how grant organizations end doing funding decisions.
I've been doing research as a post-graduate and I can definitely say that a big part of academia is just an echo chamber for what is mainstream. Mainstream is not necessarily bad. But the echo chamber happens uncritically and even in bad research. It is frightening at least.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miJbW3i9qQc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70vYj1KPyT4
... that said, of course there's some valid criticism of science funding underneath, and (the whole role, purpose, and status of) the academic sphere (with its traditions and privileges) which largely determines the outcome of how grant organizations end doing funding decisions.