[BlackSwanManZ]

Most don't even know that they can leetcode themselves to a way higher salary. And if you got a PhD in something, it's very hard on your ego to leave it behind. Plus the corporate propaganda on taking a paycut to do "cool things" works very well. Look at how many smart people work at SpaceX

[midoridensha]

Yeah, so basically these places are propped up by tons of people willing to sacrifice their time and lives for some corporate execs to get rich. I'm not really sure what can be done about that, except to opt out for myself and choose a career for myself that's a better balance of compensation, working hours, etc.

If people are going to let their ego put them in a position to be taken advantage of, isn't that basically their own fault?