I don't think you realise why researchers ended up in this situation.

You want to get a Phd? you have to publish something... anything.

You want money for experiments? You need publications even if you do the rest of the theoretical work on your own.

You want to get funds for some new or to continue some research? You need publications.

I'm not defending those that publish all sorts of crap as research but the whole system is rigged.

Everyone is asking for as many publications and citations as possible to even lend you a lab for 1 day to test something.

Excuse my language but what the f are you expecting?

Edit: formatting