"Capt. JG" wrote in message

Well, I said close. Besides, a major league pitcher is much more valued
than a doctor, and that says a whole lot about the society.

Volumes.

I don't think relative rarity is a good measure either. If that were the
case, buggy whip makers would be billionaires. Some of them could make
extraordinary buggy whips. Of course Bill Gates can make extraordinarily
buggy software...

Um, you missed the point, Jon. Rarity in and of itself is not the point.
Rarity in a field of demand is the point. If you are the only maker of
buggy whips and everyone drives horse-drawn carriages, you prosper. Today,
however . . .

Max