Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't think this is necessarily the right way to go about it, but there are deep issues with the incentives in the current US research system. As someone embedded in it, I would say it's highly dysfunctional and inefficient. Too much scientific fraud (hard and soft) and too many sinecures. Our adversaries are happy either way.
What do you think the consequences of a shake-out like this will be? Asking as a prospective grad student nearing the end of my BS. I've heard locally we're cutting graduate programs down and similarly from other institutions.
Definitely a recession in funding and opportunities.