Earnest question for people working in academia: What positive things would you say about joining academia in general right now?

I was speaking with a new grad student today, and they've become unsure of their choice to enter a PhD program amid all the negative press/comments regarding academia.

I ask this as someone who is very much committed to staying in academia as a Ph.D. candidate about to enter the academic job market (please do not give me job market advice right now, please). Also, do not need to hear more negative stories about academia. We all know.

This is such a delightful thread now. Thank you wonderful people.