locally grown

[kandrathe]

I agree, but that was not my point. The ones actually seduced into trying for such professions are seldom the ones who could have become doctors, inventors, scientists, etc. They are different personality types. So, someone who tries to be, say, a professional soccer player and fails becomes a taxi driver instead of becoming a famous restaurant chef. Net difference to the human race is indistinguishable from zero.

I'm working with a former minor league baseball player, a former VP at Best Buy, and now owns his own management consulting company.

It's that self actualization thing again... I was offered a position at Bemis once, but in my due diligence I decided I just couldn't get past the "world class toilet seat" thing. Now, I'd certainly consult for them, but to actually make toilet seats my career? Nope. I couldn't do it. Although, I did work for another manufacturing company for awhile that used to make toilet seats 100 years ago. I have the same problem with some of the defense industries. I would help build platforms, like fighter jets, or aircraft carriers, but I'd rather not make cluster bombs, and anti-personnel munitions. I have some friends who design guidance systems, however, and I don't think any less of them.

I think in this age, in many career's, it's hard to determine if your work really has any redeeming social value.