Adam Boulton | Meritocracy Debate | Propositon (5/8) | Oxford Union

[@hesperant5380]

There seems to be an incorrect assumption. The concept of meritocracy is not the potential of a persons merit as illustrated by the first gentleman but the effects of merit. In essence it is not what you could do for society but what you have done for society. Mind you, I still think that the subjective measure of meritocracy is the same as the subjective measure of communism and that humans by nature would corrupt each concept equally and there for would not have a long term functionality. I I agree we cannot have a functioning meritocracy however not for the same reasons.

[@drakezen]

Except for the fact that we have actual experimentation on which has served society better: We simply need to look at the those countries that have adopted communism/socialism and those that have chosen capitalism. Are people flocking to enter Russia or leave? Which countries do people risk their lives to go to? Hint: It's not China.

[@laodesyukur]

Don't judge merit as a Path to workship but through this action, there're special thing about take careness to each other "between male and female" by this love will be born something special too about true love is "children". It's not scary to straight the sacrifice thing, i mean don't be afraid to be idolized because your kindness not your bad thing... Give everything to the God is better thing...

[@samuelarthur887]

It's not about superiority of personalities but of productivity.

[@mdl9224]

It's not about productivity but about wellbeing. Let's not confound the two.

[@xandercorp6175]

@@mdl9224 Yours is a lazy and deceptive slight of hand.

[@mdl9224]

@@xandercorp6175 What is it about the point that productivity is not as good a metric as wellbeing to run a society that you find deceptive?

[@xandercorp6175]

@@mdl9224 That's not what Samuel was talking about.

[@mdl9224]

@@xandercorp6175 What I took Samuel to mean is that the point of a hierarchy based on merit is not to anoint a person based on personality but to do so based on productivity (I interpret this to mean contribution to society). What I tried to convey in my response is that meritocracy is not only used to argue that is appropriate to reward people based on their contribution to society but also that some people deserve no place in society (meaning being denied of the support of the group) based on their lack of ability to succeed in that system. (e.g: "Why does a homeless person deserve to be helped. If they put enough effort in to their lives they wouldn't need help")

[@wetlazer]

The man makes very little sense. Just because some jackanape attends Oxford (or any institution) doesn't mean they do well. Adam seems to be pretending that a student has to LEARN and do well and then do well on their endeavors after graduation, or d well even if they "wash out" of Oxford. People do wash out, Adam.

[@nelsongonzalez4533]

It's not not meritocracy, instead it's natural talent 😎🤓🙄 in sports, in music 🎵🎶 in science, etcetera

[@yoshyoka]

Interesting that he limits his discussion to academic settings. Why not in the professions? When ill, would he go to a doctor knowing that he got the position not through meritocracy? Or would he let his furniture be build by someone not proficient in the craft?

[@steviemac42]

Boulton showing his colours, no shock there then....

[@silverlininggamers]

Why talk about meritocracy when you have no clue what meritocracy actually is?

[@Pet.Wifey.Voice.Of.Reason]

Meritocracy is not that complicated a subject, yet this man does not seem to understand it. I only listened to his argument to hear how he defines it, since he rudely interrupted Bim Afolami by saying, "That's rubbish - that's not what meritocracy is. If you don't know what you're talking about, sit down." And yet, he seems very confused about what it is himself. He never defines it properly, and what he says at 6:49 is the perfect example of how he himself does not understand the subject matter. I am still trying to figure out how he equates Fabian socialism (that led to eugenics, that led to the holocaust, in his words) with meritocracy. HIs mind is quite peculiar to me.

[@Lyndanet]

0:29 what is with the all the giggling ?

[@robertdavis9246]

A perfect example of the reasoning that is taking the western world into oblivion.

[@giialiinh]

the people who post their commennts here are irrational and quite pernicious, if you dont read dont listen dont experience or dont have a slightest idea of the subject, please just dont comment. the thing i found the most obnoxious is the comment section of this channel. thanks the debater in this video, you are passionate!

[@delsere7095]

Either I'm too stupid to understand the speaker or this was a series of babbling strawman arguments during a manic episode. Who would argue that we have a true meritocracy? How can you be a professor at Oxford and believe that the measurement of merit is mostly subjective. And how on earth does meritocracy lead to eugenics?

[@nelsongonzalez4533]

It's nonsense 🤪 just bla bla bla. Voilà 🤓🙄😎

[@drakezen]

I am amazed that this guy's incoherent blathering is being used as an argument for anything at all. Of course he hates merit since he's got no qualification nor ability to make a point

[@mrstephenpariah]

Over your head, perhaps 🥸

[@drakezen]

@@mrstephenpariah Um, you wish. Bet you can't even make a coherent argument for socialism.

[@OMAR-vq3yb]

@@drakezen No real meritocracy. No real democracy. Elites run the world. Financial crash and war is inevitable with this model as it breeds egotism, narcissism and sociopathy. All due to capitalism. Make a coherent argument why the current system is good for humanity? Socialism doesn't work, but there are principles there that should be integrated into today's model for things. However, if you're enjoying your bread crumbs, unchecked corporate greed, and are content with never seeing upward social mobility in your life then by all means continue to be a cheerleader for this rigged game to which you're actively losing.

[@zombieboy937]

@@OMAR-vq3yb What principles of socialism do you think should be implemented into the current system? Though this system has its flaws I much prefer capitalism over socialism. I could have never made the amount of progress I have made in my home country which is full blown socialist. So I am perplexed by westerners rejection of the system that has undoubtedly created so much wealth and prosperity.

[@ye333]

It’s indeed almost impossible to coherently argue against meritocracy.