ToMany,

Socrates is supposed to have said " the unexamined life is not worth living"
He is generally considered to have been a very wise man.

Sometimes it is helpful to step back from the noise, consider the concept of "everything I "Know", is wrong"... and then reenter the world just a bit wiser, and more importantly, more at peace with it.

Life is short, don't waste it on trivial matters.
For what it's worth.

The answer to all this is very basic. Those who are willing to accept paltry compensation will likely receive paltry compensation. No one is twisting anyone's arm. All the argument, reasoning, Etc. will not likely or significantly alter this simple truth.