I remember once reading someone on Wall Street Oasis saying that Nobel prizes and Fields medals are nothing special (as a judge of intelligence) as the lure of money found in business is not there to attract the brightest into competing.
You are quoting someone from a financial career interview forum who can't imagine why a bright person would want to pursue a lesser paid career in research.
The Wall Street guys work 90 hour weeks and many have to wear awful clothes in awful offices with awful people. The Fields medalists work 20 or less in their pajamas.
Are you sure the Wall Street guys are better paid?
I find being on Wall Street is nothing remotely special either as the only attraction there is the one from money. The competition then is to optimize profits, increase shareholder value, dream of becoming a billionaire, own a private jet, buy everything in excess of one's usage, and in all, end up upsetting the balance in society.
