So I’m a science nerd. But now I’m not part of a university I've been completely cut off from the scientific community. Journals are behind paywalls and conferences are way too expensive for me to attend! Why is it so difficult to do independent science?

@ohuu I sympathize! I suspect that you already use it, but in case you don't https://sci-hub.se/ is an essential resource for the academically unaffiliated.