Since here many things are about start-ups, what about a start-up for developing a better academia, a way for great people to expand the frontiers of knowledge?
Tim harford Ted talk about error and evolution is about how the only way to manage complex system is about trial and error, perhaps he would subscribe that trial and error is the only way to search for a better way of managing academia.
There a a lot of comments here and the take-away for me is that managing academia is a very difficult task and nobody knows how to do it. Some people recognize that we could make more harm than good by adopting short-sight metrics, I consider fortunate that people recognize that sometimes we don't know all the answers and that the best we can do is to share information about this complex task.
I would suggest to teach and emphasize the role of science and technology for our future. Social esteem for the role of the scientist and technologist is important to nurture scientific talent. Reading Paul Drucker book about how America respect for the technological man and British respect for science man explains why America took the lead in technology. For young people motivation to solve some very important problem by means of science and technology and giving them freedom, good money and respect is the right combination to make the any field advance.
Tim harford Ted talk about error and evolution is about how the only way to manage complex system is about trial and error, perhaps he would subscribe that trial and error is the only way to search for a better way of managing academia.
http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_harford/transcript