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Post by abbey1227 on May 28, 2021 22:30:56 GMT
A Belief in Meritocracy Is Not Only False: It’s Bad for YouIt encourages selfishness and discrimination yet it continues to be instilled in the minds of many. Aeon by Clifton Mark Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt Pink Sherbet Photography / Getty Images. ‘We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else …’ —Barack Obama, inaugural address, 2013 ‘We must create a level playing field for American companies and workers.’ —Donald Trump, inaugural address, 2017 Meritocracy has become a leading social ideal. Politicians across the ideological spectrum continually return to the theme that the rewards of life – money, power, jobs, university admission – should be distributed according to skill and effort. The most common metaphor is the ‘even playing field’ upon which players can rise to the position that fits their merit. Conceptually and morally, meritocracy is presented as the opposite of systems such as hereditary aristocracy, in which one’s social position is determined by the lottery of birth. Under meritocracy, wealth and advantage are merit’s rightful compensation, not the fortuitous windfall of external events. Most people don’t just think the world should be run meritocratically, they think it is meritocratic. In the UK, 84 per cent of respondents to the 2009 British Social Attitudes survey stated that hard work is either ‘essential’ or ‘very important’ when it comes to getting ahead, and in 2016 the Brookings Institute found that 69 per cent of Americans believe that people are rewarded for intelligence and skill. Respondents in both countries believe that external factors, such as luck and coming from a wealthy family, are much less important. While these ideas are most pronounced in these two countries, they are popular across the globe. Although widely held, the belief that merit rather than luck determines success or failure in the world is demonstrably false. This is not least because merit itself is, in large part, the result of luck. Talent and the capacity for determined effort, sometimes called ‘grit’, depend a great deal on one’s genetic endowments and upbringing.
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This is why debates over the extent to which particular individuals are ‘self-made’ and over the effects of various forms of ‘privilege’ can get so hot-tempered. These arguments are not just about who gets to have what; it’s about how much ‘credit’ people can take for what they have, about what their successes allow them to believe about their inner qualities. That is why, under the assumption of meritocracy, the very notion that personal success is the result of ‘luck’ can be insulting. To acknowledge the influence of external factors seems to downplay or deny the existence of individual merit.
Despite the moral assurance and personal flattery that meritocracy offers to the successful, it ought to be abandoned both as a belief about how the world works and as a general social ideal. It’s false, and believing in it encourages selfishness, discrimination and indifference to the plight of the unfortunate.
Clifton Mark writes about political theory, psychology, and other lifestyle-related topics. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.
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Post by Prometheus on May 29, 2021 3:46:23 GMT
I wonder how the author feels about his article being chosen from among all the ones submitted.
I doubt he just feels "lucky."
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Post by Prometheus on May 29, 2021 3:48:57 GMT
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity
Yes, there were a billion random choices and occurrences that put Bill Gates in the right place at the right time, but Bill was the one that had to step up to the challenge... to grab the opportunity.
And let's not forget everything he did with that opportunity once he grabbed it.
The author isn't just asking us to dismiss the successes of others as "good luck." He's asking us to dismiss our failures as "bad luck" rather than poor preparation and bad choices on our part.
Are people who survive natural disasters because they stocked up on food an water ahead of time just "lucky"?
Does the author console the families of the dead by saying, "Tough luck!"?
I'm sure he has some sort of convoluted answer PREPARED, but maybe he'll get lucky and we'll never meet....
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Post by ant-mac on May 29, 2021 6:10:41 GMT
Luck is when I find someone else to make the argument I'm too lazy to bother about...
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Post by Prometheus on May 29, 2021 10:44:21 GMT
Luck is when I find someone else to make the argument I'm too lazy to bother about... "Hi. I'm an avowed socialist and hater of capitalism. Please send me money!"
I'm glad that I waited to the end of that previous bullshit just to hear the icing on the bullshit cake.
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Post by ant-mac on May 29, 2021 10:55:47 GMT
Luck is when I find someone else to make the argument I'm too lazy to bother about... "Hi. I'm an avowed socialist and hater of capitalism. Please send me money!"
I'm glad that I waited to the end of that previous bullshit just to hear the icing on the bullshit cake.
Meh, just another perspective on the issue, no better or worse than your own... Just different and just as valid. |
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Post by Prometheus on May 29, 2021 17:25:44 GMT
"Hi. I'm an avowed socialist and hater of capitalism. Please send me money!"
I'm glad that I waited to the end of that previous bullshit just to hear the icing on the bullshit cake.
Meh, just another perspective on the issue, no better or worse than your own... Just different and just as valid. Not quite as valid since it starts with a false premise: that merit doesn't exist for the non-rich, non-white, non-whatever folk. That it's bullshit and easily proven by the growing number of POC millionaires, billionaires, college graduates etc.
Not everyone is going to be rich and famous no matter how level the playing field is. Some people are always going to squander their opportunities. Some people are going to be in the right place at the right time but still make the wrong decision. Some people simply aren't going to be up to the challenge of the opportunity they grab.
I certainly believe is creating a country... a world where everyone has access to opportunities, but those opportunities have to suit the people that take them. I'm never going to be a theoretical physicist who solves the problems of Unified Field Theory. Does that mean that I have been shut out of all opportunity? Of course not.
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Post by ant-mac on May 29, 2021 20:41:29 GMT
Meh, just another perspective on the issue, no better or worse than your own... Just different and just as valid. Not quite as valid since it starts with a false premise: that merit doesn't exist for the non-rich, non-white, non-whatever folk. That it's bullshit and easily proven by the growing number of POC millionaires, billionaires, college graduates etc.
Not everyone is going to be rich and famous no matter how level the playing field is. Some people are always going to squander their opportunities. Some people are going to be in the right place at the right time but still make the wrong decision. Some people simply aren't going to be up to the challenge of the opportunity they grab.
I certainly believe is creating a country... a world where everyone has access to opportunities, but those opportunities have to suit the people that take them. I'm never going to be a theoretical physicist who solves the problems of Unified Field Theory. Does that mean that I have been shut out of all opportunity? Of course not.
I got the impression he said it was not as likely to exist for the "non-rich, non-white, non-whatever folk". Certainly, it's nowhere near as common as some would have us believe. And for the dominant species on the planet, that system simply isn't acceptable, not at this point in our evolution and level of "civilization". And I'm speaking globally, I'm not just taking potshots at certain countries. That's a fair enough approach, except that I would add that it should be a world where everyone has their basic needs met, despite their level of "merit". |
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Post by abbey1227 on May 29, 2021 21:31:01 GMT
I got the impression he said it was not as likely to exist for the "non-rich, non-white, non-whatever folk". Certainly, it's nowhere near as common as some would have us believe. And for the dominant species on the planet, that system simply isn't acceptable, not at this point in our evolution and level of "civilization". And I'm speaking globally, I'm not just taking potshots at certain countries. That's a fair enough approach, except that I would add that it should be a world where everyone has their basic needs met, despite their level of "merit".
Is the Federation in Star Trek just as wonderful as the Borg?
Let's argue about the definition of basic needs.  |
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Post by ant-mac on May 29, 2021 21:38:26 GMT
I got the impression he said it was not as likely to exist for the "non-rich, non-white, non-whatever folk". Certainly, it's nowhere near as common as some would have us believe. And for the dominant species on the planet, that system simply isn't acceptable, not at this point in our evolution and level of "civilization". And I'm speaking globally, I'm not just taking potshots at certain countries. That's a fair enough approach, except that I would add that it should be a world where everyone has their basic needs met, despite their level of "merit".
Is the Federation in Star Trek just as wonderful as the Borg?
Let's argue about the definition of basic needs. Actually, there is a dark side to the United Federation of Planets. This was evident as far back as the original TV series. Certainly... and I shall be using the broadest possible definitions available.  |
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Post by abbey1227 on May 29, 2021 21:41:33 GMT
Is the Federation in Star Trek just as wonderful as the Borg?
Let's argue about the definition of basic needs. Actually, there is a dark side to the United Federation of Planets. This was evident as far back as the original TV series. Certainly... and I shall be using the broadest possible definitions available.
In the spirit of Kobra Kai.......... maybe they should do a series from the Klingon and Romulan points of view? Kirk was clearly a male, white European oppressing others
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Post by ant-mac on May 29, 2021 21:48:36 GMT
Actually, there is a dark side to the United Federation of Planets. This was evident as far back as the original TV series. Certainly... and I shall be using the broadest possible definitions available.
In the spirit of Kobra Kai.......... maybe they should do a series from the Klingon and Romulan points of view? Kirk was clearly a male, white European oppressing others
You're not far off... In THE ENTERPRISE INCIDENT, Starfleet tasked Kirk and Spock, with the unknowing support of the Enterprise crew, to steal a cloaking device from the Romulans. Spock manipulated the female Romulan Commander romantically, to help achieve this goal. |
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Post by abbey1227 on May 30, 2021 2:12:40 GMT
I wonder how the author feels about his article being chosen from among all the ones submitted. I doubt he just feels "lucky."
One of the few things that'll really set my wife off is whenever someone uses the phrase "Must be nice." ![[rolleye1]](//storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/MTjbungPBOzv0BKQvdPJ.gif) As if all of her hard work, planning, sacrificing etc had little to do with her outcomes. |
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Post by papamihel on May 30, 2021 8:13:02 GMT
What a load of shit...
Merit is luck? What next? Competence is blue? Physical strength is racist? Ears are diamonds?
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Post by Prometheus on May 30, 2021 10:03:58 GMT
Not quite as valid since it starts with a false premise: that merit doesn't exist for the non-rich, non-white, non-whatever folk. That it's bullshit and easily proven by the growing number of POC millionaires, billionaires, college graduates etc.
Not everyone is going to be rich and famous no matter how level the playing field is. Some people are always going to squander their opportunities. Some people are going to be in the right place at the right time but still make the wrong decision. Some people simply aren't going to be up to the challenge of the opportunity they grab.
I certainly believe is creating a country... a world where everyone has access to opportunities, but those opportunities have to suit the people that take them. I'm never going to be a theoretical physicist who solves the problems of Unified Field Theory. Does that mean that I have been shut out of all opportunity? Of course not.
I got the impression he said it was not as likely to exist for the "non-rich, non-white, non-whatever folk". Certainly, it's nowhere near as common as some would have us believe. And for the dominant species on the planet, that system simply isn't acceptable, not at this point in our evolution and level of "civilization". And I'm speaking globally, I'm not just taking potshots at certain countries. That's a fair enough approach, except that I would add that it should be a world where everyone has their basic needs met, despite their level of "merit". There are times when you offer the job to the right person for the job and times when you offer a job to someone because they need a chance to prove their worth, but even in the case of the latter, the person has to have something to offer besides the ability to convert oxygen into CO2.
And no one should expect that "the chance" that they be given should be some great windfall. You don't grab the 17-year-old kid who applies to be a cashier at the grocery store and make them the assistant manager, but if they start out doing stocking, and show some hustle then they might get to work the register. After some time with no issues, they get to move up... and up... and so on.
Of course, then comes the story of the boss' son who started as an accountant in the head office. WAAAAAHHHH!
Maybe the kid studied accounting or business management. Maybe that talent is wasted on stocking shelves. You want to be in the accounting department, go get a bookkeeping certification or your CPA, but don't expect to go from stocking to register to the actuarial department just because your register has never been short more than a nickel.
People think far too much of the abilities they don't really possess and far too little of the abilities that others actually do possess.
TBH, I've been working for 40 years this year and at least a quarter of those years have been spent in supervisory/managerial positions and I don't think that any of them were given to me because I came from an "affluent background" (because I didn't) or because I'm male (several of the superiors who promoted me were women) or because I'm white (although several black co-workers said that it was even though I had more experience than them).
I hustle. I learn quick. I do what I'm told. I do it well. I take time to learn other things related to my job so that I can do it better than the next person. I think those attributes deserve MERIT. Put me in any job for which I have even the most basic skills and aptitudes and I'll be the boss in a year or less.
There are no bad jobs, only bad attitudes.
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Post by ant-mac on May 30, 2021 13:12:13 GMT
1. Hey, don't underrate it... It took our species millions of years of evolution to be able to do that. And it could be useful if you work in a greenhouse. 2. No, but one can at least hope it will be fair and equitable. 3. Nepotism does happen... I refer you to the previous administration. 4. Or maybe it was who he knew and who he was related to... It might go either way. 5. Only other people do... I don't, because I'm better than them.  6. I don't doubt you have the skill and talent that you claim to have. 7. I also don't doubt there are others who can match you in skill and talent, but were unable to overcome the obstacles placed in their way by racists, sexists or some other form of bigotry. 8. Bullshit... Go pump out septic tanks, become a maggot farmer, clean up crime scenes... there are many jobs that can be considered bad by one metric or another. |
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Post by Prometheus on May 31, 2021 3:19:00 GMT
1. Hey, don't underrate it... It took our species millions of years of evolution to be able to do that. And it could be useful if you work in a greenhouse. 2. No, but one can at least hope it will be fair and equitable. 3. Nepotism does happen... I refer you to the previous administration. 4. Or maybe it was who he knew and who he was related to... It might go either way. 5. Only other people do... I don't, because I'm better than them. 6. I don't doubt you have the skill and talent that you claim to have. 7. I also don't doubt there are others who can match you in skill and talent, but were unable to overcome the obstacles placed in their way by racists, sexists or some other form of bigotry. 8. Bullshit... Go pump out septic tanks, become a maggot farmer, clean up crime scenes... there are many jobs that can be considered bad by one metric or another. 1. Yeah, but it's really not a "skill" is it?
2. One would hope... but that's no longer the case is it? These days, being a straight, white male puts 3 heavily weighted minuses against you that you might never be able to overcome no matter how much you hustle or learn.
3. So does the Peter Principle ![[giveup]](//storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/FSYefibmKqtatIXMgHZg.gif)
4. Maybe, but it's wrong to assume that in every case. If the kid can't add 2+2 and the store starts losing money, then it was pure nepotism. If the store starts making more profit and has more customers then it's probably not just nepotism.
Since you mentioned the previous administration, what if Jared (master of all things ) had actually done a good job? What if he was every bit the genius we were told he was?
5.
6. Thank you
7. "We shall overcome!" Why try overcoming when you can just whine about it and get whatever you want?
There have been those that have gotten ahead of me. Just made me work harder.
Again, I'm all for leveling the playing field, but once it is level, competition is going to be even more fierce. Wear a helmet.
8. Jobs have to be done and it's preferable that they be done well. That comes down to attitude. If the only job available to me was pumping septic tanks then you better believe that I'd be the best septic tank pumper in the business or drown in a bucket of shit trying to be.
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Post by ant-mac on May 31, 2021 4:10:20 GMT
1. See how far you get without it. 2. Which is why I always list myself as a non-binary, black, disabled, pregnant woman who is currently transitioning to become a non-specific, non-English speaking farm animal... So far, I've been offered the position of spokesperson for the local branches of three multi-national companies. 3. I would consider that to be a universal constant. 4. Don't worry, I don't. I just think it remains one of a variety of diverse possibilities. Diversity... where would we be without it? Then Jared would have to change his initials from JK to JC. 6. You're welcome. 7. Why not do both? Why not use every method or tool available to overcome an obstacle? I'm not fond of whiners, but I don't mind being made aware of a situation. 8. You can clean out my sewer pit anytime. But I hope you don't mind if I stand upwind of you, don't shake your hand and send you a cheque via the mail. Nothing personal...  |
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Post by Prometheus on May 31, 2021 4:58:51 GMT
1. See how far you get without it. 2. Which is why I always list myself as a non-binary, black, disabled, pregnant woman who is currently transitioning to become a non-specific, non-English speaking farm animal... So far, I've been offered the position of spokesperson for the local branches of three multi-national companies. 3. I would consider that to be a universal constant. 4. Don't worry, I don't. I just think it remains one of a variety of diverse possibilities. Diversity... where would we be without it? Then Jared would have to change his initials from JK to JC. 6. You're welcome. 7. Why not do both? Why not use every method or tool available to overcome an obstacle? I'm not fond of whiners, but I don't mind being made aware of a situation. 8. You can clean out my sewer pit anytime. But I hope you don't mind if I stand upwind of you, don't shake your hand and send you a cheque via the mail. Nothing personal... Notice how you start to joke when the point starts settling in? |
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Post by ant-mac on May 31, 2021 6:14:18 GMT
1. See how far you get without it. 2. Which is why I always list myself as a non-binary, black, disabled, pregnant woman who is currently transitioning to become a non-specific, non-English speaking farm animal... So far, I've been offered the position of spokesperson for the local branches of three multi-national companies. 3. I would consider that to be a universal constant. 4. Don't worry, I don't. I just think it remains one of a variety of diverse possibilities. Diversity... where would we be without it? Then Jared would have to change his initials from JK to JC. 6. You're welcome. 7. Why not do both? Why not use every method or tool available to overcome an obstacle? I'm not fond of whiners, but I don't mind being made aware of a situation. 8. You can clean out my sewer pit anytime. But I hope you don't mind if I stand upwind of you, don't shake your hand and send you a cheque via the mail. Nothing personal... Notice how you start to joke when the point starts settling in? Oh, I'm always ready to have a laugh... I'm an Aussie. However, just because I might take the piss, that doesn't mean I'm not sincere. I'm serious about what I do, but necessarily about how I do it.  |
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![[rolleye1]](http://storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/MTjbungPBOzv0BKQvdPJ.gif)
As if all of her hard work, planning, sacrificing etc had little to do with her outcomes. 
![[giveup]](http://storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/FSYefibmKqtatIXMgHZg.gif)
![[cheers]](http://storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/engyBVslEdpmpmdnBwZQ.gif)