@pluralistic What Kline and others have never been forced to confront is that merit alone has never been enough. You need luck, you need applicable certification, you need to be in the right place at the right time. & friends!!!

It helps to be white or Asian if applying for office jobs.

Merit helps you do your work well and sometimes keep it, if you're good at office politics.

There are physical and mental differences and disabilities. Normies can get overtaken by anxiety or xenophobia.

@pluralistic

With so many factors, life is unpredictable for most of us and the multigenerational poor have no chance at all.

An Unconditional Basic Income and free, lifelong education delivered via universal broadband. Give everyone a solid floor and a common thread of practical decency. Make it easy to contribute and don't sweat those who can't and won't. Nobody ought to be bound to put up with those who cannot work with others. Nobody should be living under a bridge, either.