If I build a local website and sell access to it for $10 in, say, Monaco (population: approx. 38,000 people) then I'll be making less money in comparison to the same situation but where the entire US is the market for said website.
The sewer treatment plant workers don't matter to me, unless I'm living in the town where this stuff is going down. If I'm not however, those workers have zero value to me.
"...predicts that employment in this industry will increase 7 percent, adding 9,400 new jobs by 2024... Median Salary $33,800"
If we assume median salary ~ average salary, then $33,800* (9,400/.07) = $4.5bn. Oprah net worth is estimated at around $3bn.
In other words, if the average person was forced to choose to either "get rid of" Oprah Winfrey or 2/3's of the countries garbage collection workers, which one would the average person pick?
*edited
You could easily replace Oprah with some other person. I am simply using her as an example because she is wealthy, popular and her creative output isn't easily quantifiable the way someone like Bill Gates might be.
If Oprah dies tomorrow society lives on and for the most part nothing changes.
If all the sewer treatment plant workers die there is a scramble to replace these invaluable workers to abate a national health crisis.
Why does Oprah make more than these individuals?
Is it because she provides "More value" ?
If you believe she does.... then fine.
If society, through implicit acceptance does...then fine.
I don't, and I don't understand the logic. I believe I understand some of the psychology around it...but not the logic.