In Thomas Pynchon's "Mason & Dixon," the text critiques various roles like projectors, brokers, and insurancers, labeling them as the misguided inheritors of knowledge that ultimately serves only selfish interests. This perspective emphasizes that these figures, despite their positions, cannot fully utilize the knowledge they possess.

Furthermore, the portrayal underscores the notion that their activities are driven by greed rather than genuine ingenuity or purpose. By referring to them as "peddlers upon the global scale," Pynchon illustrates how their influence and operations detract from meaningful advancements, reducing their contributions to mere transactions of capital.