It seems that many skilled trades now offer better pay than a good number of white-collar jobs.

Because there is no one to do them. Young people aren't going into trades, despite the money. And those that do, are generally pretty unskilled, because they shortcut the learning. Not all - but many.

A distinctive name makes us easier to discover when our token moons and the masses come looking for us.

Even when Steem mooned, the masses didn't come.