@GuerillaOntologist I remember seeing a news magazine's listing of highest paid (hourly) people in the USA sometime in the early 80s. The top spot was a 70 year old janitor making over $100k. I also believe garbageman was one of the highest paying hourly jobs, but college was considered the path to well paying jobs.
It's harder to see that now with college requiring mortgage-level debt, and the decline in good pay and benefits. This probably led to a lack of respect for knowledge.