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...then you become a well-paid cog working for someone else who does have a passion.

Or a non well-paid cog. Like 90% of the people out there, you know.

In what universe there are either people that "follow their passion" or "well-paid (!) cogs"?

Yes, or a poorly-paid cog... The point of the article was that you can better optimize your earning potential if you don't follow a passion.

And there's nothing wrong with that. Not everyone needs their work to be the central focus of their life.