fantoozie

I like your sentiment but I have to admit I’m wary of perpetuating the narrative of personal responsibility, since it’s been used so often to excuse discrimination against people for perceived ‘deviant choices’. I would argue that the manifestations of individual behavioral dysfunction are a function of the corrosion of traditional social bonds combined with the unrealized societal effects of new communication technologies. Like a feedback loop of compromised people consuming media that validates their harmful or extreme worldviews.

Well, no point in arguing with someone like you. Regardless, as a practicing immunologist I don’t feel the least bit diminished by having the social utility of my work compared to other people; ESPECIALLY if it’s on the arbitrary basis of the amount of time, money, or education it took someone to become “valuable to society.” As for any of my colleagues who do feel that way: grow up; healthcare is a service, and we are service workers.

I agree to disagree. Doctors may have a more immediate and tangible benefit on people’s health and well-being, but providing safe and reliable public transportation to untold amounts of working class people who may rely on you to provide for their families is also a massive positive effect that should not be diminished simply for being less culturally prominent.