" For example, how do you measure the value of a scalable, modular, and extensible platform that will serve as a basis for growth over the next 5-10 years?" your questions provides evidence of why I would prefer a wage free environment. As it currently stands now, a business will pay you an upfront fee to develop this platform, and earn most of the profit for the next ten years. I would rather earn a royalty from my platform in all these ten years( this sorts out the technical debt issue).

Again this is not about worker Vs business, it is about what arrangement makes more money for everyone especially from the business perspective, and are incentives aligned.