My father-in-law mentioned something I find quite interesting to my wife: Don't look for a job that will fulfill every aspect of your life - that's what your family is for. And if you do find one, your family life might not suffer.
Not all of us are raising families, but I think it highlights a bigger points. Work is not what builds societies (certain jobs do harm society I think, mostly by destroying it's moral virtues). People relationships are what build societies and build happiness.
And you're right - there are a lucky, select few who get jobs that can also influence society.
I'm not worried about that though (anymore - I was for a time though). With my job, I can provide and care for those around me (provide for my family and generally have positive, uplifting interactions with those around me).
I have resigned myself that it's not my job to fix society, it's our job to fix society, and I'm doing my part where I am. From my perspective I have more than enough to do locally anyway: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17176036
I'm going to tell a story about two people and two outcomes and hope people will read it.
One man in Europe suffered a serious illness and was unable to continue in his previous career and had no new marketable skills. He had access to a robust social system that covered his living costs, medical care, and re-education. After several years of treatment and learning, he now has a wife and kids, amazing job that works with his disabilities, and a future. That guy is a former acquaintance of mine.
The second guy in the USA also lost his life due to medical issues, in his case a misdiagnosis and poorly done surgery. He had to then live off of savings and a tiny pension (which he was fortunate to even have but covered a fraction of his costs) with no insurance or access to good medical care since he lost his job provided insurance. He fought in court for years for disability and was denied repeatedly. He bounced around trying to find a place to live and access to services, even cheaper countries, but could never get legitimized or stabilized anywhere as he had no real support. He tried to self educate but the lack of stability and increasing medical issues without proper care always disrupted any attempts. His loved ones abandoned him as is all so common in long term illness and suffering. Depression and suicidal thoughts then take even more of that precious energy and he knows down deep at his age, and with his needs, all is lost. That guy is me.
So the takeaway is next time you are faced with the issue of social systems and if they are "worth it" or if people "deserve" your contribution to the whole, please remember this story. If you can't care about the human element and need a practical reason, think about whether it's truly better for society to bring people back into the fold and make them a productive part again, or if casting them off as broken and useless is really "better". More importantly think about if it was YOU or a loved one in need...who could have a future and contribute if just given the opportunities. It's too late for me but maybe not for you and the next person in my shoes.
Not all of us are raising families, but I think it highlights a bigger points. Work is not what builds societies (certain jobs do harm society I think, mostly by destroying it's moral virtues). People relationships are what build societies and build happiness.
And you're right - there are a lucky, select few who get jobs that can also influence society.
I'm not worried about that though (anymore - I was for a time though). With my job, I can provide and care for those around me (provide for my family and generally have positive, uplifting interactions with those around me).
I have resigned myself that it's not my job to fix society, it's our job to fix society, and I'm doing my part where I am. From my perspective I have more than enough to do locally anyway: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17176036