As everyone gets assigned a race, religion, geography, schools, looks, IQ, built, voice, health, blood type, genetics, parents, extended family, class, status etc at birth, what does “merit” even worth? Why do we judge, reward, punish, praise, compensate people when starting points and milestones for the race of life are so different and unique?
Improper worldview.
I don’t even though what this statement means. How are we “assigned” these things?
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Merit means the students with the highest grades and scores tend to do the best when looking at applying to colleges. Honestly, there’s not a whole lot of difference based upon all the things you mention. “Average” scores (for the college) won’t get a student very far.
Competitive merit counts a lot with personality in interviews too. Public Speaking classes in high school can be worth as much as any academic class, but a lot is also natural talent.
There’s more difference in how wealthy the parents are (do they even need merit money?) - and how good the top of the top are in sports.
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I’m not at all sure what you are asking about. Do you mean merit aid given by colleges? Or are you talking about what is the merit in life of having various characteristics? Or are you asking a deeply philosophical question on a Wednesday morning? What was in your coffee this morning, lol.
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Look up meritocratic and understand that having built in advantage is one of the arguments against meritocracy.
The problem is, egalitarianism treats every one exactly the same. They simply aren’t.
Colleges do a reasonable job of lifting disadvantaged candidates because they understand the advantage and bias conveyed by institutionalized opportunity.
Life in general is unfair and we all know it so why humans keep entertaining this myth of merit and excellence? It’s pretty much like a beauty pageant, to be celebrated you must inherit good looks.
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If that were truly the case, why bother trying or putting forth any effort at all? The answer is because effort actully does make a difference.
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Who we are in life is to a large extent determined at our birth. Genetics plays a big role in so many things. And your parents play a huge role as well. No denying that.
But steps are being taken to try to address at least some of the factors (beyond your control) impacting your life.
But if not selecting for merit, how then do you select?
Some of academic talent and work ethic are, indeed, inherited I think. You’re saying these folks shouldn’t be rewarded with merit money? That college only belongs to those who are in the wealth group which also tends to be inherited?
The key to finding one’s niche in life is to figure out where their talents lie and head that direction. I haven’t seen a mentally “normal” student yet who isn’t talented in anything. It may or may not be something academic.
I want those who are the best at academics coupled with work ethic to be able to succeed in their talents, so making it easier for them financially isn’t a negative to me. If merit and need based aid didn’t exist my whole family would still be farmers or factory workers. Those are both fine professions (one of my college educated lads has chosen to farm), but the world would have lost out on terrific music teachers, a well loved/respected/recommended Civil Engineer, a doctor, and more.
You’re saying that’s better somehow?
@1Rubin I’m still waiting to hear your interpretation of “merit” - are you talking about merit related to college $$$? Or is your reference totally different.
Definition of merit:
Noun: the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward. “composers of outstanding merit”
Verb: deserve or be worthy of (something, especially reward, punishment, or attention) “the results have been encouraging enough to merit further investigation”
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Interesting question to ponder. In relationship to college, our D got a lot of merit from her safeties and some of the match school. If we hadn’t been able to afford to send her to school, she could have gone to one of her safeties for free and even gotten a travel abroad and computer stipend. Did she “deserve” the merit awards? Well, she works her tail off for her grades, gives her ECs her all, is dedicated, committed, and extremely reliable in everything she does. Did she have a ton of advantages growing up? You betcha. Should that negate all the effort she put in to school and jobs? I don’t think so. I think the world needs more incentives for everyone to succeed, not less.
Just as it isn’t the fault of a kid born into poverty, it’s not D’s fault to be born into stability.
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Not quite. The potential for who we’ll be in life is largely determined at birth by our parents’ socio-economic status and their belief in secondary education. Through that, varying levels of tools are presented to us such as early reading, help with homework, private schools, SAT tutoring, money for school, etc.
Our actual success is mostly determined when we graduate from high school based on what momofboiler1 said, did we take advantage of those opportunities? Not everyone does.
There is an undeniable advantage built in for many, but they can’t capitalize on that without the work. Only the richest of the rich can be foist to high levels of success if they lack drive or mental horsepower.
It’s the illusion of excellence which bothers me as even with hardest work, other than a small percentage of exceptional or exceptionally lucky, majority can’t compete with their privileged competitors. It’s a different outcome for most if someone’s starting bell rings before yours and they had better training and nourishment AND there are people standing on the path handing them drinks & towels and mist.
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There’s no doubt that the second part of your statement is true. Everyone starts the race at a different point, some much further up the course than others.
It doesn’t make excellence illusory. It doesn’t mean it is unobtainable for those who come from less.
You also need to define “excellence.” Are you talking academic? Financial?
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I think we are very bad (humans in general) at acknowledging how much luck is involved in our success. We readily acknowledge how bad luck can derail us but don’t credit the even more important good luck in keeping us on those rails. I was friends growing up with identical twin boys. Super smart, super personable, super successful without much in terms of wealth or other opportunities at birth. When they were 25, one of them was involved in a bad car accident and was left quite brain damaged. His brother became his care giver and still they still live together even though the healthy brother has a family now. In a quick second (through no fault of his own, he was struck by a drunk driver) both of their lives were changed. The able brother turned down opportunities to further his career and studies abroad because he wanted to care for his sibling. I still visit them when I go home. I used to be sad about the situation but now I rejoice at the happy life they have built on unlucky circumstances. Life is not all about monetary success and prestige.
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Raw talent, luck and environment all play a role in one’s success. It’s the degree of contribution from each that’s different from person to person.
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Your parents are determined at birth, no? And I just said to a large extent not entirely.
A lot of this is influenced by your parents as well. Some kids are self motivated. Some element of genetics I would think. Other kids need to be motivated and guided by someone else (in the vast majority of kids where that happens, its the parents). Again, determined at birth.
And hard work will only get you so far. Don’t care how hard or long you work, you need a certain level of athletic skill to become an elite athelete. And need a certain level of candle power to be able to reach high levels of math/science. Or music. Work with influence where you are within your potential range.
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One of those is luck and the other 2 are largely influenced/determined by luck. You don’t control the environment you are in (for first 18 years in any event). And raw talent isn’t something that you earned.
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Have you never heard of adoption? Never heard of people getting divorced and remarried? Never heard of parents dying? Never heard of single parents?
This is mostly complete bunk! Definitely not determined at birth. A teacher can have an amazing influence on a student and they are not related by genetics or family situation.
Genetics play a minor role in determining a kid’s success in life. Luck and hard work are the biggest factors. Grit (hard work) and circumstances (luck) are the drivers.
Raw talent is overrated. Sure you might not play in the NBA if you don’t have amazing basketball skills, but if you love basketball want a career in basketball there are many ways to achieve that. You can coach kids. You can work in sports journalism. You can work for the NBA in marketing, etc.
But I agree that the playing field is not even for sure and I think that is the premise of this post not nature vs nuture.