I'm a researcher and i would gladly send anyone a paper who asks, without a reason needed. Although all my papers are open access anyways so shrugs. Btw it's also not unusual that people may just ask some questions related to ones paper via email and im always happy to answer those. I believe that most researchers are always glad to share their expertise and findings (as long as it isn't a huge effort ofc).

Lazily reasoned misanthropic nonsense, if every scientist were of this zero-sum mindset they'd all have long since transitioned to industry roles in engineering for the higher average pay alone.

I think this is a limited viewpoint, its more grey than you are making it out to be.

I am a scientist and you are right. If I get a message asking for my work, I will send it. It will also make me happy that someone is interested. It happens regularly, usually via researchgate.

Probably depends on if theyre still at the institution the research was done.