I find these articles to be missing the point. It's probably not rational to enter a PhD program if you're primarily motivated by making money. It's usually only a worthwile if you enjoy the subject enough that you don't mind spending 5+ years being underpaid (relative to what other salaries your skill set could command) to think really hard about it and try to leave an imprint. Then, even if you don't get to stay in the field afterwards, the PhD on its own will have been a good experience.
(full disclosure: currently slogging away on my dissertation).
Yes, I agree with you that the reality of current academia makes it more rational to enter a phd program with no expectations of a stable/decently-paid career.
But that's kinda ridiculous. That to do research science, we are expected to choose between, as you say "leaving an imprint", over personal/financial stability. We are not monks of science. And science is not something to be put on a pedestal like religion.
I feel like current academia likes to (for a lack of better term) brainwash prospective students into thinking the life of a research scientist is supposed to be hard. And if you don't have a hard life, you are not really a good scientist. As if personal/financial sacrifice is a virtue when doing research science.
Having this expectation when considering doing research science shouldn't be okay. But we are made to think it is.
I agree that it would be nice if it were easier to be a research scientist, and I certainly support more funding for basic science research, but mostly because I think it's important, not necessarily because scientists are especially exploited.
If you are really good, connected, or lucky, and are willing to make the requisite "sacrifices," then you can end up in a permanent research scientist role. I put "sacrifices" in quotes because these are many careers that people choose to go into (social work, community organizing, arguably teaching) that require much greater sacrifices and would be equally irrational if one were not passionate about the work. The correct response is probably that all these groups should be compensated better, and I (perhaps selfishly) agree, but right now. a research scientist is a much cushier, more prestigious, job than a social worker, and arguably marginally less important to society. (more disclosure: my wife is a social worker)
If, like most, you aren't able to get a permanent research job, or aren't willing to make the "sacrifices", you can go into industry, where (usually) you will make much more money but not get to work on things as interesting. If you hadn't gone into a PhD program, this is likely where you would have ended up in the first place. There is some opportunity cost of reduced total earnings (even if you get a higher salary with a PhD, it's likely you would have made up for that by not being a low-paid graduate student or postdoc for so long), but if you are passionate about science, then at least you will have spent 5-10 years doing it before getting a "real job."
I, like most of my peers, do want to end up being a researcher, but I harbor no illusion that this is the most likely eventual outcome. If I can't find a comfortable arrangement, I'll leave the field, do something else and be no worse off for it. I do realize that I am fortunate to be in a field (experimental high energy physics) where the impedance mismatch to industry is relatively good. Other fields may require different ratios of passion to "sacrifice" to be a good choice.
I think the importance or practical impact of a profession is a whole another issue I'd rather not get into. I take your point that there is a hint of entitlement to anyone complaining about a job that, comparatively, is better off than many other jobs.
I am all for people who are willing to tough it out for something they are passionate in. However, I hope these people are passionate because of some kind of internal motivation and not due to external pressure or culture to accept the status quo.
Why shouldn't it be hard? Most things that are worth doing in life are hard - particularly anything that affords you an opportunity for freedom or creativity.
(full disclosure: currently slogging away on my dissertation).