If you think the USA wouldn't take a MASSIVE hit if NYC just sunk than you are delusional. I am not surprised that you would say that considering the fact that you think it is a good idea to major in one of the most useless degrees available.
Yes, if this player decides to become a lawyer than it is an OK choice, but that doesn't seem to be the case with this kid.
I never said "every single person making under 500k a year is an imbecile". I am sure many of these people were not dedicated, smart enough, or given the opportunities to land an elite job. Some may have even chose it because it is their life passion. I am not disputing that. However, when you are given a full ride to a tier 1 school and can choose any major you want and you decide to choose literature and communications you are an imbecile. Maybe imbecile is a little harsh of a word. Uninformed or naive may be a better way to put it. However, for someone to come along(like yourself) and say the kid made a solid choice is absolutely ridiculous.
It certainly does mean that. Do you realize how many people apply for these jobs and get turned down? People with straight As from great schools like Duke and Cornell still get turned down from these positions. These same people would have High Schools begging them to come teach for them. Only a very small percentage of the population is smart enough to be successful on the street. The vast majority of the country is smart enough to work in these trade or teaching jobs.
You are correct, plenty of people don't want to put in the hours. That does not mean that they are smart enough to do it. They could become accountants and work 40 hour weeks and make partner at 35 and take home 5-6 million a year while working significantly less than 40 hours a week.
The moral of the story is Wall street is the largest collection of hard working highly intelligent people on the planet. That is a straight up fact.