I think it's abnormal for executives to get compensation > entire company revenue. I'm sure it happens in other industries from time to time but it seems like a sign of misinvestment to me.

Investors care about corporate governance and management of the finances as well, corporate profits for share buybacks can accelerate investor profits

The article details this basically pointing out that c-suite payouts are high and this is currently being tolerated but maybe by ignorance

Yes, and MARA has only been profitable in one quarter so far, if I read things correctly, and the author argues quite convincingly that even those profits are overstated insofar as the depreciations are understated, and things will quite likely turn worse. At the same time, extravagant salaries are being paid. That is how investors are being taken advantage of.

As explained in the article profits are frontloaded, so the company currently looks better than it should.