What does USA produce now? Mostly financial derivatives and military hardware. Debt and Death.

A major part of our place in the world is what we contribute. People like/need to feel important and producing things others want is a natural way to achieve that sense of worth and importance.

Do we have intrinsic value no matter what we can or cannot produce for others - I believe so but in our materialistic world it is often not the narrative that is promoted.

Do and be what you want to be but also recognise we are to a large extent social animals and that humans can usually achieve the most wealth, security and knowledge by working together.