> Even worse, we'd build a "proof of concept" that ignored all the engineering, and then try to get other researchers or companies interested in the system as though it was complete.
Career science / academia has these problems in general. But probably also industry as well. (Like who takes credit for what, if it's someone else's idea, it must be axed etc., if it comes from the boss' favorite then it must not be questioned etc)
This is far from unique to academic circles...