[lukasLansky]

The fact that the notion of salary leads you to "corporate culture" suggests true relationship between work conditions in corporate and academia. There is nothing inherently corporate about good reward for work.

Fundamental research is important and should attract top talent - but saying that individuals should correct errors of society leads to ugly, ugly effects like resentment and elitism.

There is no alternative to correcting incentives. As soon as people start to connect "good salary" with "academic culture", everything will be OK.