sJames, I agree and disagree with you. While it's true that the world was not built by entertainers, actors, athletes, men in suits etc., it is still possible for them to contribute. Sad as it is, society currently revolves around having money. Being a commerce student myself, I found early on in my degree that I felt the field was a bit of a joke: I'm making money by organising people's money/reading how markets/money will move.... What? Seemed a bit too much like making money for the sake of making money without serving any actual constructive purpose. So I agree with you there. However when I put this to the parents, they pointed out that so long as you put 100% of your efforts in to what you do, it is always possible to benefit society somehow. Working your way to high executive positions can give you the chance to assign funding in your company to society-beneficial research. Becoming a famous actor can allow you to raise awareness of issues. Also, the point people raise about entertainment/hobbies helping people through the daily grind of their lives is definitely valid; most people simply need some external escape to counteract their daily routines. In the end, I feel that while these jobs aren't as important as others (for me that's mainly scientists and labourers), they aren't entirely a waste of talent (applicable in my opinion to progamers).
Btw, you have to understand that the internet will provide you with a wide variety of readers. It may be that the people on here argue far more vehemently than people you are used to. You'll have to develop a thicker skin and see past their words if you want to survive on here (not that I like this, just the way things are at the moment).
To others, WHAO, lay off him guys... "Twisted opinion"? Endless rhetoric about "Hey, let's ban ALL the games"? I can understand you disagree with him, but can't we respect one another?