The evolving definition of merit

In this podcast episode, the concept of merit is explored in different contexts, starting with an example of building an airplane out of wood. The episode then delves into how merit is defined in sports, highlighting the correlation between college choice and income in the NBA. The episode also discusses how Billy Bean disrupted the system by challenging conventional thinking in baseball. In the context of elite institutions like Harvard and Yale, the definition of merit has evolved over time, with a shift towards considering soft skills and diversifying admissions. The episode questions whether merit is truly objective and looks at how biases and privilege play a role in who is awarded merit.