You’re downplaying the enormous social pressures that are used to make these things happen. I describe it as a cult because that’s what it effectively is; the tech leaders bring in young, impressionable people and throw money at them, and provide an environment that seems welcoming and safe. Then they start manipulating them.
“Don’t you want us to succeed?”
“What do you mean you’re working too hard? Steve is really counting on you to get this done, and Carol has been working late nights for a month. You don’t want to let them down do you?”
“We need this new technology to succeed, you’re so smart that I’m sure you can figure it out over the weekend.”
It’s all bullshit, but there is a method to all of it. I fell victim to it and so did many others that I know. Honestly, if it wasn’t for my family I would probably still be suckered in, but when I no longer had time to be a father anymore it gave me a reality check.