There are two different pursuits tangled up in this. One is seeking money and prestige and the other is seeking knowledge. They are confused because in order to

There are two different pursuits tangled up in this. One is seeking money and prestige and the other is seeking knowledge. They are confused because in order to earn money you often need at least a modicum of specialised knowledge and prestige requires at least some proximity to or appearance of it. Conversely, pursuing knowledge requires you to acquire money to fund your endeavors and needs enough prestige to attract others to your cause. They are bound closely together but they are not the same thing.