I think it's really hard for people to understand what's going on, because there isn't really a "designed" system. Rather, it's more "designed" like our DNA, with no designer, and much variation, but yet many emergent traits that are credibly well above the noise floor and worthy of concern if not outrage.

I have a physics PhD. I had a good experience. My advisor really went to bat for me, and was supportive when it became apparent that I wasn't destined for a rockstar career, even though he was a rockstar himself in his subfield.

There is something about the "failure is not an option" experience that molds people for certain kinds of work. I still work on the same kinds of projects, albeit not in the same field. But I sincerely wish it didn't produce the human cost that it does. The risk is too great.

Noting a sister comment in the same thread, when I was in grad school, students had no access to healthcare or therapy.