I've only been working in industry for a few years, but in my mind the majority of white collar jobs are no different than government welfare, in terms of value derived for society, except white collar people are paid better. The majority of white collar workers I've experienced are mediocre, lazy, and coast through the day on reddit and facebook and earn six figure paychecks. Yet we cheer on these people, congratulate them on getting jobs and hold them up as examples for peers. There's been many a time I've attended a party back home and people have berated their children for not getting a "good job" like me - meaning white collar and well paid. But hell I'll be the first one to admit I don't do shit at my job (and I work for a huge 'world-changing' company that you've definitely heard of) - I'll do what it takes not to get fired but do I feel like I make a difference or help the world through my career? Hell no. I'll close a few tickets and then collect my paycheck and then do something actually meaningful in my free time.

Americans love corporations for some reason. If you make $100k/yr at a job and mostly surf the web, people consider that 'made'. If you are on welfare from the government, you're a no good bum. Why?