In research, there is (1) the actual work you do and (2) the presentation of the work. From my limited exposure most researchers do cool work but don't present it well.

Then there are a few researchers who are really good at inspiring people about their research, but haven't actually moved the needle. It's naive to think these people are self-aggrandizing grifters and salesmen (choose your insult).

I think the reality is that all research is pretty incremental. But, if the right threads are pursued, the research can have outsized impacts. Then the question becomes, how do you pursue the right threads?

Well you need resources, and you don't have all these resources. We live in a market economy and you must exchange your resources for other people's. So you must persuade the market that your research is worth pursuing, which is exactly why presentation is mission-critical.

I don't think the storytellers are dishonest. I think there is a lot of great research with no one to champion it. There is alpha in telling good stories about your research