The difference between the best designers there and the designers who need to be paid thousands just to open photoshop is not talent or experience - it's just their sense of entitlement.
I agree, some folks have a terrible amount of talent and don't know their value. I see it all the time. But, I wouldn't make a blanket statement and say "all designers are equal", which is essential what you are saying.
You can call it entitlement if you would like. I call it I've worked my ass off for many years and now have the luxury of only accepting gigs that I want. This isn't about being a dick, it's about doing what's best for me and my family.
I said the best on 99designs and guys who want $5k to do a logo are equal. Not every designer is equal.
"You can call it entitlement if you would like. I call it I've worked my ass off for many years and now have the luxury of only accepting gigs that I want."
This is what overpaid people in dying industries always say and think. The market doesn't care how hard you worked or what you think you deserve. Of course, you know this, which is why you made this post and why you want people to think designers doing spec work are 'one step above useless'.
>"This is what overpaid people in dying industries always say and think."
I would beg to differ. The UX design and developer market is no where near dead. I'm not sure where you've been, but the market is in fact booming. I don't consider myself over paid. In fact, I know many folks that are paid more than I am.
>"The market doesn't care how hard you worked or what you think you deserve."
You are correct, they don't care about what I think I am worth. Well, except when pay me for a gig.
>"Of course, you know this, which is why you made this post and why you want people to think designers doing spec work are 'one step above useless'."
Actually, per the first paragraph of my post, I wrote it because a friend was recently being courted by a very large tech company (not by his doing) and then they sprung a 5+ hour "spec" work assignment on him.