Comment by BeetleB

I keep hearing these analogies to "rent seekers" - particularly with mathematics.

I just don't understand it. No mathematician would be upset if a total amateur solves a centuries old problem - even one they've worked their whole life on. They cheer and celebrate it.

Nor do they oppose the spread of math knowledge.

Nor do they have high salaries. Nurses make more.

Where is the "rent seeking"?