What's the world's most important profession?

Prostitution.

Oh, you said important.
Eh, still works.

Medical.

Honestly, I think parenting is the most important job.
Strictly speaking about paid professions, I’m not sure I could say. Being the President seems like a pretty important profession though.
It’s not entertainers… that’s for sure.

Water treatment professionals/scientists. Perhaps the most glorious, but regardless…

garbage collectors

Farmer.

Other than a doctor I say President of the United States

I second farmer. Unless your a badass hunter and gatherer you can’t live without them or you would starve. You wouldn’t be wearing cotton underwear, t-shirts, jeans, leather shoes etc.

Doctor.

I don’t think any one is more valuable than another. Also, why limit it to professions? All of them contribute to society.

In the U.S., we put way too much emphasis on what people do for work, and not who people are.

@Marina This is true, however, I believe that people define themselves by what they do as a profession. There are other factors that contribute to who a person is, but personally, I believe that by working as a medic, and going through med school, defines my logic and actions.

from experience, a simple janitor, in a Catholic Church.
Hey, it ain’t all “holy” as one may believe.
Believe Me.

@cyrusbond At the risk of inciting the wrath of my friend, shilolo, whom I respect very much, let me respectfully differ.

First, let me be clear that I do not in any way mean to impugn your reasons for choosing your profession. I am assuming that from what you wrote, you are saying that you chose medicine because you want to help people. That is a noble goal and admirable. Not in my mind, perhaps, the equivalent of choosing to work among the world’s poorest and sickest as a volunteer, but then few of us reach that level of personal sacrifice.

In our country, however, I believe many people choose medical school with an eye to personal enrichment. I have seen that goal supersede and influential best medical practice. I do not find that admirable.

Thus, I believe that going to medical school and getting an MD does not automatically confer value or imply positive character traits.

Edit: influence.

Teacher.

@gimmedat I think a real argument could be made for that. Sadly, not only does society no compensate as if that were so, they burden them almost beyond bearing with regulations and requirements that hem them in and cause enormous extra work.

As a profession I think what you say is true, Marina. But as a thing one does “teacher” includes a lot of people. I think it’s one of the most important things parents do, too. Yes, you could make quite an argument for “teacher”.

Mothers

@Marina too true. Teachers are in a tough spot. They are viewed as “having it easy” because they work only nine months out of the year, and are normally done with their workday by 5:00 P.M. In reality, they are charged with ridiculous demands and responsibilities. Teachers are given a group of students at the beginning of the school year and are told that, in spite of learning difficulties, differences, or any other factors, each one of those students must test “proficient” on at least 90% of the standardized tests the students will take. Why does this make sense? Why do we expect all of our students to perform at exactly the same level? Shouldn’t we take our students where from where they are to their fullest potential? There are some people who will never have the mental capacity to do long division, they are some who did it in second grade. Why would an assessment in fourth grade measuring that skill determine the effectiveness of an educator. This kills me. The way teachers are viewed kills me, the way schools are viewed kills me, the ridiculous legislation known as NCLB makes me furious, and the piss-poor job some in education do to tarnish the reputation of hardworking teachers disgusts me.

Sorry for the errors in usage, I actually teach writing, but I can only see a little bit in the iPhone’s preview area and I can’t edit effectively.

Electricians. What would anyone do without electricity?

My first response was bankers, because what could anyone do without money. But since most money is created electronically these days, even they need electricity.

It’s the guy entrusted to hold the entire Earth in his hands while standing on the back of a giant turtle. If he slips and falls, we’re toast.

I can’t say which is the most important (these include all from farmes to civil engineers), but can say that the least important are poets and painters.

There is no one profession that is more important than the other. No engineer? no buildings, no transportation, no bridges etc. No doctor? illness, deseases etc. No scientist? No technology. No businessman? no economy. No lawyer? WHO CARES !!

@Marina perhaps I spoke too brashly regarding definition through action…Ever since I was very little, my dad has told me to define who I was by my actions. He said that my thoughts were equally important. And that words are just a way of helping or hurting you cause. Lol.

I didn’t mean to insult nor demean any ones decision to choose a career, Across the board. I simply meant to say that people should take action and choose a career based on their intrests, aptitudes, and values.

P.S.- Im in med school for the same reason as every one else: Money, Girls, and Power! Lol. Kidding. Maybe.

I can’t believe more people don’t think farming is the most important. Seriously people lived for thousands of years without electricians, garbagemen, presidents. You die without food. You can’t engineer, be a doctor, president, school teacher, or prostitute without eating food that started with the farmer. Who planted and harvested them soybeans they make baby formula out of? A farmer. Who harvested the eggs they make flu vaccine out of? A farmer. Who grew the opium poppies that morphine, codeine and other pain meds are made from? A farmer. Where did that apple come from you gave your teacher. A farmer. Farming has been the building block of societies pretty much since people quit hunting mastodons.

@AC Would prankster strying to cause that use Turtle wax?

Thanks to many books and the internet, I can grow my own food the same way a farmer can. I believe electricity and technology helps people become more self-sufficient so they can do things like grow their own food very easily. Also, many people have diets that consist of things that is 100% processed and never came from a farm.

Professional Sperm Donor…..

@chris6137 Growing your own food makes you a farmer. What do you eat that didnt come from farming? Do you eat styrofoam? Oh yeah you like putting gas in your car? I don’t but guess what it has ethanol in it nowadays. Its more than likely made from corn that a farmer planted fertilized and harvested.

Full-time momma.

@Knotmyday Definitely a contender, KMD. It incorporates so many professions in one!

Court Jester.

schoolteacher, hands down

@AstroChuck: Can I have that job?

Since Your Majesty doth ask it, I will sing about the basket!
With a willow willow waley and a nanny nanny no.
Then to make it really merry we will add a hey down derry…

:D

Hey nonny nonny.

I think there’s room for two jesters in the royal court.

I am so incredibly tickled pink that you got the reference.
Double act? ;)

@asmonet, prostitution was definitely my first thought too :p

doctor