The hottest Meritocracy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

Rolling the DEI

Heterodox STEM • 234 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academia Social justice Gender Issues Meritocracy Diversity Initiatives
  1. Bias is present in academia and is often not unconscious. Many feel that men struggle to gain recognition in this environment.
  2. Data suggests that award processes in universities may not truly reflect merit and can be influenced by gender and diversity initiatives.
  3. The academic focus on diversity and inclusion sometimes leads to a lack of male representation in awards, raising questions about the fairness of these systems.

Reforming the DEI Reforms

Journal of Free Black Thought • 38 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Reform Diversity Issues Organizational Culture Social justice Meritocracy
  1. MEI stands for Merit, Economics, and Ingenuity, which aims to improve the hiring process by focusing on qualifications instead of identity. This approach encourages selecting candidates based on talent and capability.
  2. The original DEI framework emphasized diversity and inclusion but often led to perceived fairness issues and political agendas. MEI seeks to replace DEI with a more straightforward focus on meritocratic principles.
  3. Incorporating concepts like Economics and Ingenuity in MEI means prioritizing economically sound decisions and encouraging creativity in organizations. This could help recruit individuals who bring unique skills and perspectives.

Fake White Guilt Drove Decades-Long DEI Mania

Public • 545 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Meritocracy Diversity Initiatives Social justice Cultural critique
  1. Individual responsibility is a key principle in the U.S., meaning people are accountable for their own actions rather than the actions of others.
  2. Meritocracy rewards people based on their personal effort and abilities, rather than race or background, which has been important in the fight against racism.
  3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs argue that historical injustices mean all white people should be seen as privileged, and they recommend actions that consider race instead of just focusing on individual merit.

Work sucks, I know

Philosophy bear • 436 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conservatism Work Culture Economy Meritocracy Job Market
  1. Being clever doesn't guarantee a good job. Even smart people might struggle to find satisfying work.
  2. There are many reasons why people don't get the jobs they want, like luck and bad hiring practices. It's not always fair.
  3. To improve the work situation, we need to focus on making jobs better for everyone, not just competing for top positions.

Preemies, Genes, Meritocracy, and the Left

Freddie deBoer • 8694 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Meritocracy Parenting
  1. Premature birth and low birth weight can lead to significant academic challenges, affecting cognitive and academic outcomes.
  2. Acknowledging genetic influences on academic performance is controversial, but it's important to consider alongside environmental factors.
  3. Our focus on academic success and meritocracy may need to shift to value a broader range of human qualities and contributions.
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“Merit-Based Science Is Effective and Fair”: How Such a Banal Idea Has Become Controversial

Heterodox STEM • 213 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🔬 Science STEM Meritocracy Publishing Education Ideology
  1. Merit-based science has significantly improved our lives by leading to important inventions and medical advancements. It relies on rewarding talent and hard work, enabling people from various backgrounds to succeed.
  2. There is a growing concern about the influence of ideology on science, especially with movements pushing for diversity and equity. Some believe these changes hinder the scientific process and meritocracy.
  3. Despite claims of bias in science, studies suggest that many of these allegations lack strong evidence. Some researchers argue that society has made progress in creating equal opportunities in STEM fields.

I Can’t Believe That Free Speech, Color Blindness, and Meritocracy Became Right-Wing Issues

I Might Be Wrong • 67 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Meritocracy Political Ideology Activism
  1. Free speech, color blindness, and meritocracy have become associated with the right, even though they used to be core liberal values. It's surprising how politics has shifted these concepts.
  2. Many people on the left feel that America is fundamentally flawed, which can overshadow the progress that's actually been made. This mindset can lead to dismissing positive changes.
  3. Some radical left ideas don't reflect the views of the people they claim to advocate for, causing confusion and debate within the community about what true beliefs should be.

The New New Class?

Gideon's Substack • 97 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism Political Leadership Meritocracy Cultural influence
  1. There's been a shift in the people who hold real power in society, moving from landowners to those with skills and education, known as the meritocratic class. Now, we might be seeing the rise of a new group focused on gaining attention.
  2. Right-wing populism seems to rise from a reaction against the meritocratic upper class, attracting those who feel alienated by the success of educated elites. This new group connects more with traditional values and has different pathways to success.
  3. The way we compete for attention today has changed how success is defined, especially with social media's influence. The idea of being an 'influencer' could shape a new class, where winning attention plays a crucial role in gaining power and status.

The Solution to the H1B Problem

The Carousel • 32 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Nationalism Meritocracy Immigration Cultural Identity Tech industry
  1. There's a clash between nationalism and meritocracy in America. While meritocracy rewards talent, nationalism focuses on putting the cultural identity of Americans first.
  2. O-1 visas for exceptional individuals could help address talent shortages better than H1B visas. They emphasize hiring based on individual capability rather than just filling positions with cheaper labor.
  3. It's important for tech workers and nationalists to find a balance. Nationalism can actually enhance their drive for success if they integrate cultural values into their work and goals.

Is everything racist? A book recommendation

Disaffected Newsletter • 899 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Meritocracy Wokeness Cultural critique
  1. The book 'When Race Trumps Merit' by Heather MacDonald discusses how feelings about race impact various aspects of society. It argues that these emotions are hurting our institutions and relationships.
  2. MacDonald points out that classical music is currently facing challenges because of politically charged decisions. Some believe they need to change the way they operate to survive.
  3. The issues raised in the book extend beyond music to areas like medicine and science, showing how extreme views can disrupt many important fields. It's an eye-opening look at a serious problem.

Regime Change, American Style

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 452 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
💾 History American Revolution Social Change Meritocracy
  1. The American Revolution ushered in a new moral universe and a modern, liberal-capitalist society.
  2. The transition from pre-revolutionary society to a new philosophy of Enlightenment liberalism was gradual but accelerated by the American Revolution.
  3. Colonial America evolved from a status-based society to a meritocratic society following the American Revolution.

Affirmative Action: A Primer, & A Finger Exercise

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 315 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Affirmative Action Meritocracy Inequality Social justice
  1. In a society with structural racism, even a good meritocratic system can unfairly advantage privileged groups and disadvantage marginalized ones.
  2. Meritocratic tests can also perpetuate structural racism, leading to unfair outcomes in job selection.
  3. Choosing the best people for a job involves considering and addressing structural racism in both access to resources and the testing process.

How to Be a Leftist Without Being a Utilitarian or a Free Will Skeptic (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 259 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Free will Justice Meritocracy Utilitarianism
  1. Rejecting free will or embracing utilitarianism is like burning down your house to kill a fly.
  2. Meritocracy doesn't justify extreme inequality; our society isn't a true meritocracy.
  3. Belief in moral rights maintains dignity and autonomy and challenges market-worshippers for a fairer society.

Diversity Goals Imply Quality Trade-Offs

Cremieux Recueil • 132 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Affirmative Action Meritocracy Discrimination Legal system
  1. Diversity goals can lead to compromising organizational operations and contradict the idea of rewarding based on contributions.
  2. Affirmative action initiatives may end up favoring less talented individuals over more qualified candidates from minority populations.
  3. Recruiting a highly talented and diverse workforce can be challenging due to the small number of gifted individuals from low-performing populations.

Merit First, Diversity Second

Kartick’s Blog • 35 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Inclusion Meritocracy Bias Workplace culture
  1. Merit should come first when hiring or building teams. If you focus only on diversity without considering skills, you may end up with less qualified candidates.
  2. It's important to recognize and address our own biases. We should judge people based on their abilities rather than their background.
  3. While diversity and inclusion efforts can be positive, they can also go too far and lead to unfair quotas. It's better to promote a merit-based system instead of rigid percentages.

The Left Should Embrace Meritocracy if Only for the Signal It Sends

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Elections Meritocracy Social Trends Public Policy
  1. Meritocracy can send a strong positive message about valuing talent and hard work. Embracing this idea can help shift perceptions and improve support for the left.
  2. Amidst growing polarization, the left needs to be cautious of being seen as the party of elites. It’s important to connect with everyday people to avoid being labeled as out of touch.
  3. Using meritocracy as a policy can also yield practical benefits. It encourages fairness and competition, which can strengthen society overall.

A History of Meritocracy

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💾 History Meritocracy Criticism Origins
  1. Meritocracy is the idea of distributing social and economic advancement based on talent, skill, and effort rather than kinship or power.
  2. Adrian Wooldridge's book presents a historical defense of meritocracy, addressing its origins, modern status, and contemporary challenges.
  3. Wooldridge discusses the flaws of modern meritocracy, like the perpetuation of privilege, but believes these issues can be resolved with better meritocratic practices.

On Shifts In Status

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 03 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Status Meritocracy Philosophy Sociology Sports
  1. Status in life is always changing. It's important to accept that both good times and bad times will come and go.
  2. Many people think winning or losing is permanent, but that's not true. Life is more about ups and downs than fixed positions.
  3. Understanding that status isn't always linked to worth can help us see things more clearly. Real value often comes from our experiences, not just our achievements.

Education and Privilege Laundering

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🚌 Education Social Mobility Inequality Admissions Meritocracy
  1. Elite education institutions, from K-12 schools to universities, primarily serve to maintain and enhance social privileges of affluent families through a complex system of privilege laundering.
  2. The emphasis on elite education can often lead to a false perception of meritocracy, where affluent students receive favorable treatment and higher grades despite not necessarily outperforming their less privileged counterparts.
  3. Scandals like 'Varsity Blues' shed light on the reality behind the illusion of merit in elite college admissions, revealing the pervasive nature of privilege laundering in the American educational system.

Can we trust aesthetics to be fair ?

On Looking • 119 implied HN points • 20 May 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics Creative industry Identity Meritocracy Fairness
  1. Aesthetics in the creative industry raises questions about what defines 'good work' and who gets to decide, challenging the idea of universal beauty standards.
  2. Meritocracy and economic value in the creative industry are closely linked, but meritocracy may not always lead to fair opportunities due to structural inequalities.
  3. The association between artists and their work, as well as the concept of aesthetic meritocracy, may influence how we perceive art and artists, raising questions about fairness and identity in the industry.

Being a Professor is a (Product and Reinforcer of) Privilege

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🚌 Education Privilege Meritocracy Academia Inequality
  1. Being a tenure-track professor comes with high occupational prestige, pleasant working conditions, and superior job security, offering a lifestyle privilege.
  2. The requirements for becoming a tenure-line professor create barriers for the majority of the U.S. population, favoring elite backgrounds and credentials from prestigious institutions for academic success.
  3. Current academic evaluation practices, such as journal publications, citations, and grant opportunities, often prioritize institutional prestige and professional connections over genuine scholarly merit, reinforcing privileges within academia.

What Even Is Self-Governance?

the best of a great lot • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Governance Democracy Leaders Meritocracy Self-governance
  1. Self-governance is not just about voting, but about how decisions are made and who they benefit.
  2. In a meritocracy, only the most capable individuals are chosen to lead, creating a class divide and potential conflict of interest.
  3. Self-governance is a spectrum, ranging from weak governance with selected leaders to strong governance where everyone can participate and decisions aim to benefit all.

Christmas, Best-ofs, Sports Media, Meritocracy and More

Counting Atoms • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Christmas Sports Media Meritocracy Art Music
  1. The post shares various interesting links and articles on topics like Christmas, sports media, and meritocracy.
  2. The writer is clearing out browser tabs and sharing thoughts on different articles and blog posts.
  3. There are reflections on music, sports media, meritocracy arguments, and emotional dependence on celebrities in the post.