Messages

The point of it is exactly that it is a drag. It just adds a simple challenge to the game. This is similar to the saying, "Out of sight, out of mind." If you don't have it, what is the point of knowing how to get it. Also, when you begin to research something for a 2nd time, you might gain a permanent boost for that item. For example, an upgraded turret research for a second time might do +1 damage. Have an open mind.

Maybe you could place gibbet cages up around the outskirts of your base and that would maybe scare off a few of the raiders but not all of them.

The idea is that when a character starts researching a project, stacks of research papers start piling up. You would be able to place these papers onto shelves. If you didn't use the technology you research for X amount of days, you'd lose the knowledge of that technology. You can then use the research papers again to regain the ability to use said technology again.