Douglas Adams - somewhere in the Hitchhiker's Guide series describes the removal from society, and marooning of hairdressers and people with other occupations like telephone sanitation ( I think) with something approaching glee.
Now, to be honest, I may have expressed similar sentiments myself about some sectors of society from time to time.
People who work in advertising, and also parking wardens, are regular targets of my impotent ire. But when you come right down to it, what's the difference between a Michelangelo - celebrated sculptor, painter - and a Michelle - hairdresser in a local salon?
I cannot speak for all societies, and am out on a limb even speaking for my own, but it seems that in general there is a notion that some occupations and professions are seen as being more worthwhile than others. So a doctor is seen as a "better" ocupation than a telephone marketer, a carpenter is more valued than, say, a bar tender. Maybe the relative values I have suggested are wrong. These examples or not intended to be insulting or to denigrate anyone.
I think that I am referring to the implied "moral" value rather than the financial value. How does society impart these attitudes and judgments? If you could choose a profession, knowledge and ability granted, then what would you choose? I think there are a couple of responses to this, and I'd be interested what people have to say.
In the overall scheme of things, does it matter whether one is a poet or the inside man at the skonk works?
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