I am no expert, and I am not sure what is meant by "nepo", but that seems like a
wild mischaracterization or exaggeration.
Is there evidence?
It seems obvious that parents can increase or decrease the odds of someone starting a career in an "elite" field requiring advanced education like "Science", but I interpret your comment as suggesting that most scientists got their job by means of daddy donating to a university or some other silly fantasy.
Btw, nepo is broader than "my dad donated". Most (all?) worthy positions in academia depend more on who you're friends with than on talent just by itself.
"worthy position" could only mean a relatively senior position, so the scientist would have already demonstrated success via publications, and having friends would of course be expected and required in a collaborative line of work. But hiring at that level would be done by a committee, not simply by a personal friend. If that is "nepo", then the term is meaningless.
But that really has nothing to do with the original gripe about "day zero", which would generally mean getting into a masters or phd program, or perhaps an undergrad research project, where grades and standardized test scores get someone in the door -- social skills sufficient to hold a brief conversation about a science topic would be a nice bonus, but not really necessary.
By worthy position I was thinking of something as simple as "not a temporary contract", I wasn't clear on that, my bad.
And I confirm my previous statement, the immense majority of people who go on to take senior positions, particularly at big institutions, are made from day zero.
That is an extremely cynical view, and it does not fit with reality.
There is no mechanism where little Timmy gets a free ticket to be a university professor in science.
People who manage to make a career in science usually follow a specific educational path that includes a phd and postdoctoral research. No one would claim it is completely fair because there are many things that can block or hide that path (family situation; life events; lack of encouragement from teachers; being born in the wrong country; etc.). However, the system does not otherwise care about your background in any meaningful way.
You should consider the dark implications that you may be pushing misinformation that could discourage people who are gifted or intellectually curious and motivated from trying to improve the world by doing science.
