In this discussion, Sarah Tulien, executive director of the Creator Accountability Network, sheds light on the politics of luck and meritocracy. She critiques the illusion of meritocracy, highlighting how it perpetuates systemic inequalities. The idea of a 'technocratic lucktopia' is presented as a vision for a fairer society. They explore how societal structures impact opportunities, emphasizing the need for radical changes in educational equity. They also tackle the implications of emotional education in addressing social issues like incel culture.
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insights INSIGHT
Meritocracy Team
Meritocracy functions like a team, with the Just World Illusion as the veteran.
Free will acts as the goalie, meritocracy as the power forward, scoring against other positions.
insights INSIGHT
Meritocracy's Roots
Modern meritocracy is a secularized Protestant work ethic, rewarding hard work and success.
The conservative work ethic dominates, assuming inequality and social mobility are necessary.
insights INSIGHT
Meritocracy's False Promises
Meritocracy claims to be about merit and social mobility but doesn't deliver.
Inherited wealth buys merit through better education and connections, creating dynasties.
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Published in 1859, 'On Liberty' is a seminal work by John Stuart Mill that argues for the protection of individual freedoms from the tyranny of the majority and government interference. Mill uses utilitarian philosophy to justify the value of liberty, emphasizing the importance of freedom of thought, discussion, and action. He introduces the 'harm principle,' which states that individuals should only be restrained from acting when their conduct may harm others. The essay is structured into five chapters, each addressing different aspects of liberty, including the liberty of thought and discussion, individual liberty, the limits of authority, and practical applications of his theories. Mill argues that protecting individual liberties is essential for societal progress and the avoidance of social stagnation[2][3][5].
A Psalm for the Wild-Built
Becky Chambers
A Psalm for the Wild-Built is the first book in the Monk & Robot series by Becky Chambers. The story takes place in a utopian future after the end of the Factory Age, where robots have gained consciousness and chosen to live in the wilderness. The novella follows Sibling Dex, a tea monk, and Mosscap, a sentient robot, as they journey to an abandoned hermitage. Along the way, they engage in philosophical discussions about human needs, purpose, and fulfillment. The book is characterized by its hopeful and optimistic tone, exploring themes of human nature, spirituality, and the importance of understanding and respecting each other's choices and agency[1][3][4].
Hijacked
Elizabeth Anderson
Elizabeth Anderson's "Hijacked" delves into the complexities of meritocracy and its impact on social justice. Anderson meticulously dissects the historical and philosophical underpinnings of meritocratic ideals, revealing their inherent contradictions and unintended consequences. She challenges the prevailing notion of individual deservingness, arguing that societal structures and historical inequalities significantly shape individual outcomes. The book offers a compelling critique of the dominant narrative surrounding meritocracy, exposing its role in perpetuating injustice and inequality. Anderson's work provides a framework for understanding how meritocratic systems often fail to deliver on their promises of fairness and efficiency.
Episode four of my luckpilling series, where I'm once again joined by Sarah Tulien, executive director of the Creator Accountability Network. We discuss chapter three of my dissertation, which covers the politics of luck, particularly the way that meritocracy dominates modern politics and suppresses social progress by making people appear to deserve their lot in life. I also present an outline of the lucktopian society I think we should be moving towards and an argument for why it is not illiberal indoctrination to teach students that everything is luck.
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Next Episode: Luckpilled Chapter Four: Pedagogy of Luck