[readerbaza]

From the outside it seems academia is an end, not a mean. Which in itself could be the full explanation. Also explains why even in "industry", as the author calls it, there's plenty of people willing to work (or appear to) a lot more than expected/required: to acquire more money/status/position/power/etc.

When you don't care to have your name plastered on numerous publications or on some company report, saying "no" to peer/company pressure is much easier.

Bonus point: Propaganda. Movies and tv shows are full of hard working heroes with impossible schedules and deadlines (literal most of the time) which makes for interesting entertainment but terrible lives.