The shameful word 'Meritocracy'

[TerrexLee]

I’ve watched the viral CNA Insider video over and over, recognising in it all the same characters I used to see in the classroom when I was a secondary school teacher. It’s been 7 months since I quit the service, but there’s been a thorn in my side that never left me, one I’ve been wanting to write about for many years –– the shameful word, “meritocracy”.

Meritocracy. Our country’s favourite word. We’ve heard it every day through all our formative years, here on our utopian island. Every National Day we sing meritocracy, meritocracy. Every character and citizenship lesson in school is meritocracy, meritocracy. Every speech from our leaders is meritocracy, meritocracy.

Just last year, PM Lee said of Halimah Yacob’s presidency, “… it is amazing. It shows what Singapore is –– multiracial, meritocratic, one flag, one people. That is what makes us Singaporean. It is not just resonant rhetoric, or a warm, fuzzy feeling.”

As children, we take meritocracy as gospel truth. I know I had full faith in it. And much later, in the years I spent teaching, I discovered that most children still do… no matter their background.

Privileged kids look at themselves and believe their successes are due to their own intellect and talent. Underprivileged kids look at themselves and believe that their failures are a result of an innate lack. Then, they look at each other… and form all kinds of misguided impressions. Sometimes, these are dangerous, intolerant impressions that could stay with them forever. I am sad to report that it gets far worse; the CNA video only scratches the surface.

More at The shameful word 'Meritocracy'

 

[congo9]

Meritacrocy had become toxic in Singapore.

 

[bobby]

Classic example of Singapore meritocracy.....the Prez must be a Melayu and is the only one available.

 

[shittypore]

The wife is the best person to handle the Cuntry's Sovereign Fund.

 

[glockman]

If sinkieland is meritocractic, then how did those duds get into parliament and head ministries, while others become heads of SMRT? I am so confused.

 

[CoffeeAhSoh]

If sinkieland is meritocractic, then how did those duds get into parliament and head ministries, while others become heads of SMRT? I am so confused.

Meritocracy is good. if there is no meritocracy then i worry.

 

[frenchbriefs]

Meritocracy can only get u so far,for everything else u need MasterCard.

 

[Chase]

I am waiting for @JohnTan's expert opinion on this issue

 

[jw5]

First comes Aristocracy, then comes Meritocracy.

 

[Chase]

Eg. https://www.sammyboy.com/threads/sa...kies-hdb-flat-prices-to-rise-very-soon.259714

 

[eatshitndie]

First comes Aristocracy, then comes Meritocracy.

after meritocrazy cums mediocrity then peanuts.

 

[bobby]

In Singapore meritocracy = volunteering.

Almost everyone at the top job is a reluctant volunteer, including our Macik.

 

[halsey02]

Meritacrocy had become toxic in Singapore.

Meritocracy only work when all things being equal & the field level. But in the real word, this is just a word coined to show that what is done is fair. For example, when I started working, I have to confess that, the first job I did, was a phone call from a family member to , " one you know who, in the where up there in an organisation". Ok!, you come down tomorrow & start work...So, if you were working your ass off, wanting the position I fill, base on your believe on meritocracy, where would that lead you.

Meritocracy is not only toxic..it is bull shit...it is who you know, will get you where you want to be...& in many cases, a head start & in some...a spot just for you only.

 

[JohnTan]

I am waiting for @JohnTan's expert opinion on this issue

I'm a firm believer and recipient of Singapore's meritocracy, along with around 90% of the sinkie popluation.

I wasn't born into a rich family, but my family saved enough for me to study in NUS despite my average grades. That wouldn't be possible in Malaysia, where thanks to apartheid policy enacted by islamist leaders and supported by muslim religious scholars, vast majority of the chinks and non-bumis cannot get in regardless their grades.

My good NUS results allowed me job opportunities and to meet many good chinese girls, one of whom became my wife eventually. And again, those said chinese girls would not have been in NUS if malaysia's apartheid polices were enacted here.

My kids got into elite schools by their own merit. My wife and I weren't alumni of any of the prestigious schools around. Getting into a good school by merit is like talking greek in mudland and indon, where race and religion is everything.

Singapore did well by doing what is right, instead of forever making the chinese and non-bumis as the bogeymen, which is done frequently in mudland and indon.

You have to wonder what is wrong with the oppies when they justify persecution of the chinks in mudland and get angry with PAP for imaginary slights. Are oppies lunatics or schizo?

 

[congo9]

Singapore's system is more of social and feudalism for the inner Eiltes.
While for all the normal people, it is meritocracy. It also has become a Shameful word when i use it to talk down to people below me.

It has a justification for their low income and sad status in life. The problem lies with them and not the system i have prospered. They are lazy and incompetent and that is the reason why you are left behind.

System of meritocracy is just a myth.

 

[jw5]

This is a great story JohnTan. Keep up the good work!

I'm a firm believer and recipient of Singapore's meritocracy, along with around 90% of the sinkie popluation.

I wasn't born into a rich family, but my family saved enough for me to study in NUS despite my average grades. That wouldn't be possible in Malaysia, where thanks to apartheid policy enacted by islamist leaders and supported by muslim religious scholars, vast majority of the chinks and non-bumis cannot get in regardless their grades.

My good NUS results allowed me job opportunities and to meet many good chinese girls, one of whom became my wife eventually. And again, those said chinese girls would not have been in NUS if malaysia's apartheid polices were enacted here.

My kids got into elite schools by their own merit. My wife and I weren't alumni of any of the prestigious schools around. Getting into a good school by merit is like talking greek in mudland and indon, where race and religion is everything.

Singapore did well by doing what is right, instead of forever making the chinese and non-bumis as the bogeymen, which is done frequently in mudland and indon.

You have to wonder what is wrong with the oppies when they justify persecution of the chinks in mudland and get angry with PAP for imaginary slights. Are oppies lunatics or schizo?

 

[Hypocrite-The]

I'm a firm believer and recipient of Singapore's meritocracy, along with around 90% of the sinkie popluation.

I wasn't born into a rich family, but my family saved enough for me to study in NUS despite my average grades. That wouldn't be possible in Malaysia, where thanks to apartheid policy enacted by islamist leaders and supported by muslim religious scholars, vast majority of the chinks and non-bumis cannot get in regardless their grades.

My good NUS results allowed me job opportunities and to meet many good chinese girls, one of whom became my wife eventually. And again, those said chinese girls would not have been in NUS if malaysia's apartheid polices were enacted here.

My kids got into elite schools by their own merit. My wife and I weren't alumni of any of the prestigious schools around. Getting into a good school by merit is like talking greek in mudland and indon, where race and religion is everything.

Singapore did well by doing what is right, instead of forever making the chinese and non-bumis as the bogeymen, which is done frequently in mudland and indon.

You have to wonder what is wrong with the oppies when they justify persecution of the chinks in mudland and get angry with PAP for imaginary slights. Are oppies lunatics or schizo?

Wow. Wat a tall story. And after that u became the sex slave of Ur pappie masters waiting for the day u get replaced with a cheaperer betterer sex slave

 

[bobby]

Our Singapore meritocracy is just another word for "salarocracy"....where high ministers's salaries can be so called justified for doing nothing.

 

[JohnTan]

Wow. Wat a tall story. And after that u became the sex slave of Ur pappie masters waiting for the day u get replaced with a cheaperer betterer sex slave

This is a great story JohnTan. Keep up the good work!

It's nothing but the truth! And there are many sinkies out there with similar life stories like mine. You just can't accept that PAP's policies have benefited the vast majority of sinkies.

 

[Hypocrite-The]

It's nothing but the truth! And there are many sinkies out there with similar life stories like mine. You just can't accept that PAP's policies have benefited the vast majority of sinkies.

Please tell me more..so I can continue to regret that I never become a pappie PLP like u