I've been plugging in and out of the system for about three decades myself, while it hasn't been free of cost (nothing is completely free of cost), it's been way more rewarding than costly. I try to use costs to get rewards as much as I can, which is why I plug in and out.
Plugging in has costs too, especially for people who don't want to be part of the herd. If the herd is moving the same way I am, I use it. Does that make me a 'Conforming Normie'? I've never been accused of being a conformist. I don't see the herd as bad, it's just a herd. Sometimes it's an easy ride, sometimes it's an obstacle, mostly it's just the background noise.
I don't agree with everything in your reply (base socialism would not need to repress merit), but it was really well done, without a trace of divisionist rhetoric. 100% upvote.