I’ve been noticing more books and articles lately on the subject of “meritocracy”; a word originally coined for a satirical novel but now taken very seriously. Does it really exist, or is it just a cover for a caste system based on access to the best schools, internships and other not inexpensive “resume investments”? Is the top 10% “hoarding opportunity”, or just looking out for it’s children?
Is New York right to consider eliminating gifted programs for egalitarian reasons? Is the Trump phenomenon at least partly due to resentment of a perceived elite?
Is it even worth pursuing elite status? I may be too comfortable with my own mediocrity, but a lot of the “successful” people I know seem to work too hard and worry a lot about maintaining their status.
And if it exists, and if it’s a problem, what can be done about it?