*the “merit” being tested is one’s ability to follow. It’s a test of one’s ability to pick up on what the current culture values and emulate that effectively. It’s a test of your trendiness and ability to curry favor with others*
nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqkefy4w4a24wk4m422ls6ygrqdm0ga73ngqfch66srwuw02fxk0kqy2hwumn8ghj7erfw36x7tnsw43z7un9d3shjqpq5qgxru8n2pwkyf8fhv7eap2cp2g8hgnr6qsfyyyc2yee6cfdlvyqz4u0mm
Login to reply
Replies (1)
It’s peace time vs. war time mentality. In war time, there is an external threat and ‘prestige hierarchies’ emerge. Those within the group elevate and recognize talent due to the external threat. In peace time, all competition is internal and ‘dominance hierarchies’ emerge. It is all infighting and ass-kissing to get to the top because you are good at that game, not because you are good at the group’s mission.