I know we have our Marxist definition and all that, but it seems to be a really pervasive 
, everywhere I go. Some people I've talked to think for instance, all scientists are silver spooned and never worked a day in their life because they don't do construction, or whatever.
How do you argue with people like this? Can you?
Scientists employed by the government (or by anyone else) don't reap the profits of their research. They're just another worker on the grindstone, usually without full control over what they research and how.