Work, Academic papers and Applications

Recently, I told someone at work that I was learning how to digest, summarize and write academic papers faster. And they went "ugh".

I got a problem with that attitude.

Now, I fully understand that academia is like an ivory tower. And no, I also have no interest in that.

But I am also very, very keen (to the point of desperation) to work on something cutting-edge, something few or none have done before.
I want to understand how to extend knowledge and apply that knowledge commercially.