Something rubs me the wrong way about this article. I struggle to articulate it, but it would be how success in science now requires political ability.
It's rare to find people who are both good scientists and good politicians.
It's rare to find people who are both good scientists and good politicians.
I would focus on staying sane psychologically and socially, and not feeling I'm wasting my years as much as possible. Though if you can participate in some movement of your colleagues with potential for a positive change, do that. Just don't overburden yourself alone.
I kind of think academia needs to be reformed and unwound from the outside. But I am more and more convinced by the news that the 'outside' might be unable to do it in ways that aren't appalingly dumb. So my faint hope would be that the much maligned "gen Z work ethic" will eventually force some change, and the old academia barons just die out.