#NGMThoughts 22: Meritocracy…

…is a myth. I believe it’s something that we should strive for and work towards, but we need to stop kidding ourselves that it exists.

Think back to when you were a kid. Had you ever participated in an activity where a peer was given an opportunity to pick a group? Whether it be a class project, a pick-up basketball game, or otherwise — inevitably someone gets picked last.

You’d like to think that the person who got picked last had the lowest grades or was the shortest and most uncoordinated player, but if we’re being honest with ourselves, how many times were they the least socially connected, most marginalized, or just “different”.

I’m not sure if/when we’ll get to a place where kids pick teams without bias, but knowing that this exists means that we have a long ways to go.

We may grow up, but I’m not so sure we grow out of it.

Thoughts of a Next Gen Man…

• Jake on behalf of NGM

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