I can't help but but think a universal basic income, at least in societies that can afford it, would dramatically change the entrenched misalignment that causes

I can't help but but think a universal basic income, at least in societies that can afford it, would dramatically change the entrenched misalignment that causes this. The signal/noise issue is real but as others have noted not the most concerning. The main structural problem IMO is that all the structures that support scientific research (academic evaluation, university admin, granting agencies, publishing industry, etc.) are all re-enforcing untenable illusions. A few benefit immensely from this, but there are many who have the incentive to change, yet they are cornered by their economic circumstances to play along.