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I was listening to a George Carlin speech and he mentioned a critical element about education (in America).  He talked about how it's important that you keep people stupid in general to not be able to critically think, yet intelligent enough to run the system. 

Reflecting upon these words made me realize how corporate America values certain degrees.  So all the technical majors in college like engineering, sciences and mathematics, and to a degree, economics, stats, etc. receive high praise and payment while majors like humanities and arts suffer a great deal in the respect and job options area.  Of course, some of these areas have been corrupted (political science/English => lawyer/politician), but it's interesting to note how the vast majority of respected jobs involve some non-critical thinking position.

That isn't to say that humanities and arts have no value in terms of job opportunities.  Obviously, directors, actors, musicians, etc. are some of the most prestigious positions (despite the fact that they produce little social value outside of entertainment).  But those that become successful are either lucky or are sellouts (not to mention typically not having any true great talent).

But you don't really see a lot of jobs for say a person graduating with a degree in critical theory or philosophy.  Most of those people are relegated in underpaid, underfunded positions at universities.  Those that decide to move away from academia enroll in simple office jobs that underutilize their studies (except for things like communications).

Perhaps the closest thing is a position in HR.  But most positions in HR are accounting, maybe some Visa work (law) and simple paperwork.  You might even see recruiting as another form (psychology).  In general though, you rarely see a position like social engineering.  I mean, how to improve work conditions and seeing it through.  Or what about other applications of philosophical readings to work?

It's kinda sad that the humanities is completely underappreciated.  But I guess people prefer to be content with their SUVs, 60" plasma screens, XBox, Netflix rentals, and other forms of materialism than realize just how screwed they are.