Operative and Speculative Mason

With the different readings (I have completed Introduction to Freemasonry I and History of Knoxville Scottish Rite Bodies) I have learned the differences between Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite, operative and speculative, and guild masons and freemasons.

I just wonder why the operative mason is revered in the speculative form of today.  If one can find these principles in masonry, where are the other speculative representations?  Why is carpentry not seen, or more important, why is masonry seen?  It seems to me as if it could have gone in any direction, the potter, etc., but when it began to go towards masonry it continued.  I have very little idea how correct this is...