> But most math isn't like this. Most math has very little immediate effect on the real world.

Then isn't it fair to ask why that math deserves to be done right now? Just because a problem can be formulated and piques your interest while leading to more problems that pique your interest, that doesn't mean someone on this planet has to work on it right now.

If you're one of the brightest minds in the world who wants society to credit you for your work (and fund your career!), and are finding that the rest of the world is replacing you with automation, and you're agreeing you don't anticipate your work to even have an effect on the real world in the foreseeable future... why is it unreasonable to expect you to start working on problems for which you can make a clearer case of usefulness in the horizon, at least for the time being?