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For better or for worse, the guy working hard to replace your roof is easier to replace than you are - this is because you have a skill set he doesn't that take

For better or for worse, the guy working hard to replace your roof is easier to replace than you are - this is because you have a skill set he doesn't that takes a lot of time and resources to develop. In addition, your work (likely) brings in more money to a company than his. As such, you get paid more. As an aside, have you ever noticed that (certified) plumbers and electricians make a lot of money? Same reasoning. I don't have a problem making more money now that I made myself valuable. I started off in retail, where you literally are one step away from being replaced by an automated kiosk.

mjn 13y ago
> I don't have a problem making more money now that I made myself valuable. That could be part of our differences in outlook. I don't feel I've really "made myself" valuable, I just have skills and interests that happened to be valuable. I've liked computers since I was a kid, and am reasonably adept with them. When I grew up, somewhat to my surprise, I found out people paid quite a bit of money for that kind of thing. It feels sort of like playing careers on easy-mode; even if I were to totally wash out into a low-end programming position, I could still easily make high 5 figures slinging web templates or Ruby or PHP or something. Other people who're harder-working and more talented than me make less, because they happened to be adept in the wrong thing (art or carpentry instead of coding, say). Were the era different, it could be the other way around, so I have a bit of a "there but for the grace of god go I" outlook: there are times when engineering was a poorly paid blue-collar occupation and skilled painters were highly rewarded. In that economy, I'd be poorer and some of my friends would be richer, through no change in our own skills...
- cobrausn 13y ago
  That difference in early career opportunities could easily be a part of it (the difference in outlook). I'm just saying there is no need to feel guilty - the world and the economy are fairly malleable, and it doesn't value hard work as much as it values hard work at something that is in demand, so 'following your passion' may not be the best way to make money. As you have said, it has never really been much different, it's just what people demand has changed.

mjn 13y ago

> I don't have a problem making more money now that I made myself valuable. That could be part of our differences in outlook. I don't feel I've really "made myself" valuable, I just have skills and interests that happened to be valuable. I've liked computers since I was a kid, and am reasonably adept with them. When I grew up, somewhat to my surprise, I found out people paid quite a bit of money for that kind of thing. It feels sort of like playing careers on easy-mode; even if I were to totally wash out into a low-end programming position, I could still easily make high 5 figures slinging web templates or Ruby or PHP or something. Other people who're harder-working and more talented than me make less, because they happened to be adept in the wrong thing (art or carpentry instead of coding, say). Were the era different, it could be the other way around, so I have a bit of a "there but for the grace of god go I" outlook: there are times when engineering was a poorly paid blue-collar occupation and skilled painters were highly rewarded. In that economy, I'd be poorer and some of my friends would be richer, through no change in our own skills...

cobrausn 13y ago
That difference in early career opportunities could easily be a part of it (the difference in outlook). I'm just saying there is no need to feel guilty - the world and the economy are fairly malleable, and it doesn't value hard work as much as it values hard work at something that is in demand, so 'following your passion' may not be the best way to make money. As you have said, it has never really been much different, it's just what people demand has changed.