3 ms·

Does to not have agency imply the workers are fungible, replaces left cogs in a machine, unlike in other domains where “stars” exist and thereby have agency?

toomuchtodo 3y ago
I argue there is strong evidence “stars” are lucky, not legitimately exceptional, in a majority of cases (“myth of meritocracy”). Most people cannot negotiate a better deal individually for compensation, working arrangements, etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth_of_meritocracy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth_of_meritocracy https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/beautiful-minds/the-role-of-luck-in-life-success-is-far-greater-than-we-realized/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/beautiful-minds/the-... https://hbr.org/2021/06/dont-underestimate-the-power-of-luck-when-it-comes-to-success-in-business https://hbr.org/2021/06/dont-underestimate-the-power-of-luck... Are we optimizing for a lucky few? Or the majority? That’s the philosophical question I believe. If majority votes win union elections, and organizing is the only way to seek some power against corporate interests, the action required is obvious as a rationalist. I understand that a minority will take issue with the advantage they might have diminished or lose entirely, but by definition, stars are a minority. https://www.axios.com/2024/03/20/union-workers-wealth-comparison-pay-difference https://www.axios.com/2024/03/20/union-workers-wealth-compar... https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/labor-unions-and-the-us-economy https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/labor-unions... https://www.americanprogress.org/article/workers-want-unions-how-states-have-strengthened-worker-power-in-2023/ https://www.americanprogress.org/article/workers-want-unions...
- jjtheblunt 3y ago
  Great useful response: thank you.
  - toomuchtodo 3y ago
    Happy to help. We must empower the human to live the best life they can in a system they have little input in, and improve systems that allow for exploitation whenever possible.

toomuchtodo 3y ago

I argue there is strong evidence “stars” are lucky, not legitimately exceptional, in a majority of cases (“myth of meritocracy”). Most people cannot negotiate a better deal individually for compensation, working arrangements, etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth_of_meritocracy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth_of_meritocracy https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/beautiful-minds/the-role-of-luck-in-life-success-is-far-greater-than-we-realized/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/beautiful-minds/the-... https://hbr.org/2021/06/dont-underestimate-the-power-of-luck-when-it-comes-to-success-in-business https://hbr.org/2021/06/dont-underestimate-the-power-of-luck... Are we optimizing for a lucky few? Or the majority? That’s the philosophical question I believe. If majority votes win union elections, and organizing is the only way to seek some power against corporate interests, the action required is obvious as a rationalist. I understand that a minority will take issue with the advantage they might have diminished or lose entirely, but by definition, stars are a minority. https://www.axios.com/2024/03/20/union-workers-wealth-comparison-pay-difference https://www.axios.com/2024/03/20/union-workers-wealth-compar... https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/labor-unions-and-the-us-economy https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/labor-unions... https://www.americanprogress.org/article/workers-want-unions-how-states-have-strengthened-worker-power-in-2023/ https://www.americanprogress.org/article/workers-want-unions...

jjtheblunt 3y ago
Great useful response: thank you.
- toomuchtodo 3y ago
  Happy to help. We must empower the human to live the best life they can in a system they have little input in, and improve systems that allow for exploitation whenever possible.