X-Message-Number: 18402
From: "John de Rivaz" <>
Subject: 1901
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 12:54:56 -0000

> A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist
> $2500 per year, a veterinarian between $1500 and $4000 per year and a
> mechanical engineer about $5000 per year.

What would be interesting is to know whether these ratios have changed now,
ie does the engineer still earn more than twice as much as an accountant. If
society is placing a different value on various occupations it may make a
substantial effect on the rate of the future progress over the next century
upon which we all rely for cryopreservation to be effective.

Don't forget Carl Sagan's observation in the old TV series "Cosmos" that
classical Mediterranean civilisations once had an interest in both
experimental science and philosophy, and the latter won out and got all the
good people. Had it been the other way round, he said, humanity could have
been building star ships by our current era.

If the trend is now away from the practical, ie engineering [not just
mechanical, of course - the word really involves manipulation of all matter,
not just iron,  and therefore includes quantum and nano technologies] is
proportionately less well rewarded, then the effect could be similar.

This links nicely with another message:

> Truly clever groups who secretly collude but outwardly disagree can
leverage
> this phenomenon.  One fictitious example was the non war in the novel
"1984"
> between Oceania and the Eurasians.  The "war" was for maintaining
patriotic
> loyalties and served the governments quite well.  Of course, they could
not
> openly admit this.

The best example of course is two lawyers in mental combat in a court. This
effect is produced by the rules, not necessarily by the intent of any of the
individuals involved. The more complication they can introduce, the longer
the case lasts and the higher the earnings of the profession as a whole.
Each individual lawyer need not be aware of this, he is acting in the best
interest of his client according to the rules. But the net effect is that
the income of the profession as a group is enhanced.

--
Sincerely, John de Rivaz:      http://www.deRivaz.com
my homepage links to Longevity Report, Fractal Report, music, Inventors'
report, an autobio and various other projects:
http://www.geocities.com/longevityrpt
http://www.autopsychoice.com - http://www.cryonics-europe.org -
http://www.porthtowan.com

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