Manufacturing jobs vs. service-sector jobs: The pesto proof

"If I build a factory where people take fresh peas and put them in cans that's a 'manufacturing' facility full of manufacturing jobs and people who 'make things.' But if I build a facility where people take fresh peas, mix them with some basil and a touch of mint, plus olive oil, parmigiano reggiano, and pine nuts then purée them to serve you a delicious pea pesto that's a lowly service sector employment cite that couldn't possibly generate good jobs. Similarly if I make pasta then dry it and stick it in boxes, I'm manufacturing. If I make fresh pasta and serve it to you on a plate with my pea pesto that's services. The difference between manufacturing and services is not an ontological void between making things and not making things. It's really a gap between putting things in boxes and not putting them in boxes. Like if you build a bookshelf and ship to a store and I buy it, that's manufacturing. If I hire you to come to my house and install custom built-in shelves, that's services." — Matt Yglesias explains the difference between jobs in the service sector and jobs in the manufacturing sector.

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