> Meritocracy can be used as a justification of our own success and self-worth, so in this situation any criticism of meritocracy can be perceived as an insult

> Meritocracy can be used as a justification of our own success and self-worth, so in this situation any criticism of meritocracy can be perceived as an insult and threat to what we have and are This last point is why I expected to see commenters here indignantly raging against the article.