(I've never had this thought before) What if it is currently encouraged at the proper level, given its present value -- that is, exponentially discounting the f

(I've never had this thought before) What if it is currently encouraged at the proper level, given its present value -- that is, exponentially discounting the future revenue. Throw in uncertainty, and inability to judge quality work so far from the future, and maybe that justifies the low pay of many basic research jobs? Would be interesting to see an analysis of this across fields, countries, year, etc.