I agree with you. Unfortunately science has a lot of gatekeeping and elitism in it… often people are ostracised for their beliefs if you don't agree and go along with "the general consensus" at the time. People like this aren't very good at going going with the general consensus.

Half of science is also your reputation. If a random newbie says they saw a new species in this part of the woods, literally nobody will believe them. You have to be good at writing reports in the style and language expected, and knowing where to submit these reports. You can't just use normal people words and upload it to wherever.

It's a shame, because I think there's a huge amount of people that would love getting into the "leg work" of science, which many desk jockeys dislike, but they aren't book smart so they're not allowed. These kinds of people will never get a PHD, it's not their path. But it's hardly difficult to point a DSLR camera or take samples.

I know someone who goes up into the "mountains" for a week once a month, sets up camp, and fossicks for gold. Often for longer periods of time. Imagine if they were paid to look for fossils or take geology samples or other science-y stuff? I know for a fact these people would absolutely love playing with a new toy and learning how it works. How many scientists go into the field that often? Multiply that by like 100 because they have this whole community of fossickers.