Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if other people don’t want to play the long game. This team does, they’re executing it well, and it will boost their careers as a result. Everything was done voluntarily by consenting professionals with the rules of the game outlined up front. Can’t really fault them for that.

People can consent or do plenty of things that are allowable. That doesn't mean I can't fault the actions or dig deeper into whether or not it has other drawbacks (or even pros). Just because something is allowable doesn't mean it doesn't have other impacts.

But to be clear that doesn't mean I think they (or someone else) should not be allowed to make this choice. The possibility should definitely exist. I just don't think it's a good choice in terms of it being a norm.

This is very fair criticism for standard jobs like a regular software developer.

For a role like this, where outsized skill of someone who is and needs to be elite should be rewarded with enormously outsized pay, I think this a good model.

I think we're in agreement.

But, I do find it wild that a group as decorated as this already can't even get compensation that is commensurate with their skill and experience without having to rely on intangible future benefits.

Kind of a similar dilemma to strikebreaking