honestly, its just a thinly veiled repetition of the American/boomer dad stereotype that money flow is the key arbiter of intelligence (even though I think at the higher end of intelligence its actually the opposite/ non correlated)

I think that's a nearsighted appraisal of people in these industries. Advertising is effective and so is the myth that money gives you actualization, to me it makes perfect sense that smart kids are going into a high paying industry while missing it's harmful effect.

If they were really smart they would see the bigger picture.

You are assuming their values. Smart people can be selfish. Smart people can have no concern for a legacy or the bigger picture of humanity.

Very smart people are often smart only within a somewhat narrow field. I imagine they are often lacking in general experience and wisdom.