We set up our whole society around the notion of “merit” — that somehow the best ideas and the best people rise to the top of the social pyramid.
Furthermore, we have been led to believe that the most esteemed institutions *aggregate* merit and are designed to produce even more meritorious outcomes in society.
But what if none of that is true and has never been true?
What if in fact society is actually organized around profit and has absolutely nothing to do with merit? The sleight of hand we’ve lived with since Adam Smith is that the most profitable = the most meritorious. But extraordinary profits can also come from bottlenecks, monopolies, and cruelty — traits that have nothing to do with merit.
The coronavirus crisis has revealed in spades that NONE of the elite institution in the U.S. — government, media, medicine, public health, nor science — are based on merit. Instead they are mini-fiefdoms that are based on corruption, malevolence, power, double-dealing, profit, and psychopathy.
The fact that each of these institutions (including Big Tech) now cover for each other and have formed one giant super-cartel that is diametrically opposed to the well-being of the people makes it all the more sinister.
p.s. A huge welcome (and thank you!) to all of my new subscribers!!!!