Gold is another story and when the economy recovers, probably gold price also rises as the demand for gold is increasing.
Especially silver is like this: a lot of demand for silver comes from industrial use and once the economy starts rising, also the industrial demand will rise.
Part-time job is better than no job at all.
I agree that the collapse took some people out of labor force for ever. I am glad Ben Bernanke acted fast and started massive emergency money printing to stimulate the economy.
The collapses are never good, I think the problem was that FED chariman before Bernanke in the beginning of 2000's kept the interest rate waaaay too long time too low and created a massive bubble to housing markets and in 2008 it collapsed and the rest is history.
People do not need "stuff". People need food, housing and clothing.
The manufacturing of stuff has went to China indeed.
The jobs that probably will have demand can be found from service sector or IT (however this requires higher education - after all you are competing with Indian engineers, you cannot outbid with salary but with your knowledge and unique combination of skills which creates a very own niche).
People are getting older and generally the elder generation is wealthy but they need help. New jobs are needed to help this huge generation of elderly people - and most of them in USA can afford to pay for the services.