3 ms·
Why do smart people need to be rewarded more? What's so special about being smart, that this is the main axis of merit? You never hear the same said about, say,
by trgn 3y ago
Why do smart people need to be rewarded more? What's so special about being smart, that this is the main axis of merit? You never hear the same said about, say, being strong, healthy, patient, cold blooded (maybe this one), ... It's always "smart". "Smart" must be rewarded. Colleges must pick "smart". Not being facetious. I want to learn more about the origins and apologetics of the cult of smart.
("hard work" I can see. That certainly has pedigree - toiling the land to please god, that sort of thing, there's something virtuous about it).
- ZephyrBlu 3y agoI assume people view it as more meritocratic because smart people tend to do more useful things (E.g. scientists, lawyers, doctors, etc), but I don't really think it's meritocratic. Generally "smart" = born with high intelligence and the right personality traits (I.e. conscientious). I see it mostly as lottery.
- trgn 3y agoThanks for chiming in. When smart becomes a catch-all term, it feels a little tautological, but makes sense to me in that context.