Everyone is susceptible to social adaptation. Like how some people from poor backgrounds become classist once they’ve made it and have golf buddies to talk to about real estate. The real test of a person’s principles is if they’re willing to go against their peers opinions. It can be very isolating.

Do a barrel roll!

I don’t think you can generalise white collar jobs that way. I’ve done both, and writing software all day takes way more out of me than when I did manual labour. But some white collar jobs don’t require much effort at all. I wish it was easier to balance using your brain and your body for work.