No Stupid Questions 181. What’s So Great About Meritocracy?
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Feb 4, 2024 Is meritocracy really as fair as we think? The hosts dissect how luck and privilege shape our paths to success, raising questions about the validity of merit-based systems. They share personal stories of serendipity and reflect on the psychological impacts of perceived fairness. A humorous 'luck audit' highlights the role of chance in their journeys. Plus, there's a light-hearted segment on fact-checking past discussions, blending insights with emotion and laughter, as they ponder the implications of meritocracy for the future.
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Meritocracy's Shifting Role
- Meritocracy, once the hero against privilege and nepotism, is now questioned.
- Michael Sandel's book, "The Tyranny of Merit", challenges meritocracy's role in the common good.
The Meritocracy Trap
- Daniel Markovits's "Meritocracy Trap" argues that meritocracy now concentrates wealth.
- This creates a feedback loop, termed "snowball inequality", furthering economic disparity.
Raspberries and Privilege
- Angela Duckworth shares a personal anecdote about her children's privilege.
- She highlights how seemingly small advantages, like raspberries from Whole Foods, compound over time.
