What is wrong with this country?

[Mathster]

so, uhm, whats the issue with people making money off of their talents?

How many 20 year olds took some dot com public and made 200 million for it? Sure some lost their tail at the bust. Sure teaching and law enforcement is more important, but anyone can teach or wear a uniform, not everyone has a sports talent.

[PhilliePhan]

but anyone can teach or wear a uniform

I can't agree with this - plenty of people are not cut out for either assignment.
And let's not forget that many of those who are qualified take on more lucrative careers in other fields. The educational requirements for teachers these days are pretty high. Frankly, it is easier to get and MBA, LOL!

Honestly, I think it's both helped and hurt. The advancement for medical purposes and to make life "easier" has helped....but the lack of technology for those who don't have it makes things worse.

I agree with you there.

I think what I was channeling was all the stuff kids have today that I did not 20 years ago: Internet/cellphone/blackberry etc...
There is a glut of information out there and much (wikipedia, etc..) is wrong. The net provides an easy way out for research, etc. whereas we older folks had to get info from libraries and books.
Plus, we've got kids who spend all day texting and cannot write a cogent business letter.
Maybe the ease of information at our fingertips is making us lazy and dumbing us down?