Sadie, that is a fair critique. However, although there are certainly "bs" jobs as some sociologists label them, I'd argue the majority of jobs still exist to solve a human problem or feel some human need or desire (i.e., 60% of the US workforce resides in frontline service work). The problem is we've created a massive gap between "the work" and what the work actually accomplishes. In my research with janitors, we find that mattering resides even in the most difficult conditions when people can see how what their doing adds value... even it's for the person next to you.