The path to becoming an astronaut is to be a productive member of society. I'm for everyone wanting to become astronauts.
But your movie star comparison is pretty spot on.
But your movie star comparison is pretty spot on.
Entertainment is valuable.
While I think they are productive at the moment in that they really push the economy by proxy through big budget movies and surrounding merch, I also feel that if the movie and TV industry disappeared that role would be easily filled by other things.
What's the use of having a million washed up D-list actors?
Whereas if you fail on the journey to becoming an astronaut, you've at least got an engineering degree of something. Maybe you'll contribute by designing a machine to manufacture bearings for desks at a hospital or something.