It's a high stress, demanding job. Great work is usually rewarded, but Apple does have its politics. Talented engineers I know are well rewarded and recognized internally, but other engineers have been shafted due to politics or the bozo-ness of their particular department or team.

Wanna hear more! :)

That gossip is best left unsaid, but my advice if you are looking to work at Apple - choose the team you join carefully. Apple's most secretive teams are also the most talented and brilliant folks I've ever met. But they work hard to be friends of Steve.

does it pay better than 'market rate?'

Pure speculation but I'm guessing not.

Yes. I like the unique interesting stuff Hacker News aggregates. Techcrunch is like fast food these days.

should fast food joints be banned? just because you don't like something isn't adequate argument to ban it.