On the other hand, if upward mobility *is* possible, widespread *disbelief* in the “Horatio Alger narrative” can make it disappear.
-
-
It’s usually subtextual, an assumption of hostility between humans that’s never questioned. *Of course* good for me means bad for you — not just in a particular situation but by default.
Show this thread -
It can just be *true* that a given situation is adversarial. I’m not saying it’s wrong to notice conflicts. The thing I’m saying is bad is usually an *implicit* assumption of conflict that would sound fucked up if you ever said it out loud.
Show this thread -
I don’t know the best single word for “a system that rewards behavior that benefits others”. A system where giving results in getting. Meritocratic, just, fair, incentive-aligned, cooperative, reciprocal?
Show this thread -
There are productive arguments to be had around “Don’t destroy this institution’s substantial meritocratic/just qualities” vs “this institution is already so unjust there’s not much to preserve”
Show this thread -
And there are sometimes ways to cut across the debate: proposals that tend towards meritocracy/justice regardless of how fair or unfair the world currently is.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.