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So, people are basically paying a stupidity tax. The same tax they essentially pay in many, many other circuimstances, out of their own bad judgements and lack

So, people are basically paying a stupidity tax. The same tax they essentially pay in many, many other circuimstances, out of their own bad judgements and lack of information. At the same time, everybody seems to agree that a merit-based society is a good thing. That your intelligence, ability to make good life choices and decisions, and stick to them, should give you success. And at the same time, most of the people measure success not in absolute terms, but in relative, social ones, comparing peers. So, aren't stupidity taxes, in all of it's shapes and forms, an essential part of merit-based society?

zajd 8y ago
> everybody seems to agree that a merit-based society is a good thing The bubble is real
petermcneeley 8y ago
This is a broken window economic fallacy. Meritocratic sorting is a good thing but at a cost of 100k and years of peoples lives its probably quite harmful. Just like its far better that the window is never broken, its far better for society if the people didnt waste this time and money.
paulryanrogers 8y ago
It's more of an ignorance tax. And I for one am glad there are laws, regulations, and other non-market tools protecting me from hazards like sloppy construction, poisoned water, and preventable diseases.