The Brian Lehrer Show 100 Years of 100 Things: US Meritocracy
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Dec 4, 2024 
David Brooks, a contributing writer at The Atlantic and author of How to Know a Person, dives into the history and future of meritocracy in the U.S. He discusses how recent Supreme Court rulings are reshaping university admissions and explores the flaws in standardized testing. Brooks critiques the overemphasis on IQ and lineage in elite schools, advocating for recognition of emotional intelligence and non-cognitive skills. With insights into personal growth and transformative education, he calls for a more inclusive understanding of success in today's society.
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Societal Ideals
- Every society has a social ideal, an image of what a superior person looks like.
- From the 19th century to the 1950s, the US ideal was the "well-bred man."
Harvard's "Well-Bred Man" Era
- Harvard admissions once prioritized legacy over academics; social connections mattered more.
- "Well-bred men" dominated leadership positions, not necessarily the most intelligent.
Conant's Revolution
- James Conant, Harvard's president in 1933, shifted the focus from bloodlines to brainpower.
- He emphasized IQ and academic accomplishment, changing the criteria for elite university admissions.
