With the continuing funding cuts in some countries, if your work is primarily computational or theoretical in nature could you successfully be an independent scientist? Are there limitations in trying to get your work published in this situation? Will science become more like journalism and are we looking at the prospect of freelance scientists?
No, you can be based in industry. As long as you write up and publish your research, you can achieve standing. Same thing as to being an independent scientist. The biggest issue is the access to resources.
In regards to your last question. Prior to the last 100-150 years, almost all scientists were "freelance". It is only recently that universities and industry have monopolized the scientific field. You should read "Big Science, Little Science" by Derek Price on this topic.
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