I agree with this sentiment, always have, but I always like to probe for issues with it. When "earning it" takes much more than it used to due to technological

I agree with this sentiment, always have, but I always like to probe for issues with it. When "earning it" takes much more than it used to due to technological shifts or otherwise, the only ones who can afford to walk the path toward mastery are the very well-off. This of course violates the modern western liberal ethos of equality for all, particularly in regards to educational pursuits. We end up with a McDonald's worker class, their menial profession determined from birth, and their noble masters. Maybe c'est la vie and there's nothing we should or even can do about it. But it's unpleasant, to say the least, knowing there's an entire class who's destined from birth to perform cheap menial labor their whole lives, without the slightest hope of doing anything else. After all, slavery is necessary for civilization, always has been.