Yeah, but if you tweak an ad-placement algorithm or a UI that results in Google selling 0.1% more ads, you've instantly produced more revenue than you will make

Yeah, but if you tweak an ad-placement algorithm or a UI that results in Google selling 0.1% more ads, you've instantly produced more revenue than you will make in salary your entire life. No one's making a value judgement. The direct numbers just aren't comparable.