The hottest Social Mobility Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Rich and Poor: How Things Work

Fake Noûs • 702 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Theory Wealth Inequality Political Ideologies Social Mobility Labor Economics
  1. The left and right have very different views on how wealth is created and who deserves it. Leftists see rich people as taking advantage of workers, while rightists believe everyone contributes to wealth creation.
  2. Many people can move up the economic ladder, and success isn't solely about one's environment or education. Personal talent and hard work play a big role.
  3. The rich provide essential resources that support society, while the poor often rely on the wealthy for stability. Instead of resenting the rich, the poor could recognize their contributions.

Who Keeps the Castle Clean?

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 6439 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social Class Authenticity Cultural Appropriation Social Mobility
  1. Cultural appropriation discussions can reveal biases and assumptions about privilege and background. It's interesting how people can judge others based on where they think they come from, showing how stereotypes work in social settings.
  2. Many students at elite universities share similar backgrounds and can co-opt the struggles of marginalized communities. This idea highlights the complexities of privilege and how some people may navigate identity to fit into their social environment.
  3. Upward social mobility carries challenges as it can create a disconnect from one's original community. People often have to balance their new experiences with their roots, which can lead to feelings of guilt or not belonging.

An Open Elite?

Life and Letters • 579 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
📚 Literature Social Mobility Authorship Economic Inequality Cultural Studies
  1. Making a living as a writer is really tough nowadays. A few bestsellers make a lot of money, while most authors earn very little.
  2. Social mobility, or the ability to move up the social ladder, has often been very limited in literary history. Many writers come from wealth rather than from lower classes.
  3. Throughout history, there have been moments when more diverse writers entered the literary scene. These periods saw new genres and styles of writing emerge, reflecting changes in society.

Matt Gurney: Let's talk about what Canada being broken means

The Line • 2476 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Canada Institutions Social Mobility Comparative Analysis Challenges
  1. Canada may be facing challenges and declining in certain areas, despite still being prosperous and stable compared to other countries.
  2. There are concerns about social mobility and the effectiveness of Canadian institutions, with signs pointing to potential long-term issues.
  3. While not completely ruined, Canada needs to address dysfunctional institutions and respond coherently to challenges to secure its future.

Two-Parent Families Are More Important Than College

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 3920 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education Family Dynamics Social Mobility Book Reviews Life experiences
  1. The focus on education as a sole solution for social mobility overlooks the importance of nurturing and support before age 18.
  2. It's crucial to gather data from communities directly rather than relying solely on self-proclaimed leaders to bridge gaps.
  3. Encouraging two-parent families is emphasized over college attainment, highlighting the significance of family structure.
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05/07/23 - Concubines: The Key to Dynastic China's Success

Moly’s Substack • 196 implied HN points • 08 May 23
💾 History European history Social Mobility
  1. China's historical system focused on providing peasants with hope of advancement, motivating them to fight for military honors and social mobility.
  2. A meritocratic approach in China ensured that power and wealth were not easily inherited, preventing the monopolization of success by nobles.
  3. The use of concubines in China served as a method to ensure competent heirs, prevent inbreeding, and stabilize society through non-exclusive relationships.

The SAT is not fairer than grades

Pershmail • 78 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🚌 Education Testing Admissions Fairness Social Mobility Standardized tests
  1. For poorer students, high school grades are a better indicator of success than SAT scores.
  2. Standardized tests, like the SAT, can be biased towards wealthier students by reflecting their better access to resources and test preparation.
  3. There is a need for multiple pathways to success in education that do not solely rely on grades or standardized tests, providing second chances for students.

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.

Social mobility and GDP and some predictions on the possible effect of AI

Solresol • 1 HN point • 01 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Social Mobility GDP Predictions Productivity
  1. Social mobility is a key indicator of societal fairness, showing whether individuals can move up or down in society based on opportunities, rather than birth.
  2. Wealthier countries tend to exhibit higher social mobility, providing more opportunities across all levels of society.
  3. The increasing role of AI in the workforce may lead to significant changes in social mobility: boosting GDP and potentially causing political upheaval as elites shift.

Avocado Economy: Why Russia can't produce anything

kamilkazani • 10 HN points • 30 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Economy Sanctions Social Mobility
  1. Russia's economy is highly dependent on Western technological chains.
  2. Import substitution policies in Russia may not be as effective as they seem, with some cases highlighting lack of true production independence.
  3. Understanding the origins of state power and cartels can shed light on economic dependencies in different industries, like avocado production.

Rob Henderson's *Troubled*

In My Tribe • 1 HN point • 26 Feb 24
📚 Literature Memoir Youth Social Mobility
  1. Upward social mobility should be a result of focusing on family, stability, and emotional well-being for children.
  2. Teen years can be a time of overwhelming pressure to fit in and be accepted by peers, leading to actions that may not be in one's best interest.
  3. Books like 'Manchild in the Promised Land' and 'Random Family' explore the challenges faced by troubled youth in different cultural contexts, highlighting the importance of fitting in and finding acceptance.