This is a society where "effort does not necessarily lead to a pay raise" - Huxiu#
#Omnivore
Highlights#
The cultural concept of a meritocratic society ⤴️ ^2174171e
People in a meritocratic society often feel superior to those who cannot compete with them, blaming failure on others' lack of effort, leading to discrimination and dehumanization of the weak. ⤴️ ^fc5adb97
A meritocratic society causes people to prioritize work over relationships, viewing others as pawns to achieve goals, resulting in isolation and alienation. ⤴️ ^029b5897
In a meritocratic society, people become obsessed with their self-image under scrutiny, seeking external validation and attention while neglecting the importance of self-reflection and genuine needs. ⤴️ ^a3cfcbaa
The underlying message of "as long as you work hard, you will succeed" is: if you fail or are poor, it is because you are not working hard enough, lazy, or unambitious—if social status is based on merit, then logically, those with higher status must be more talented, valuable, and hardworking than those with lower status. ⤴️ ^be1fdd8e
The worst case is dehumanization. They see the plight of the poor as self-inflicted, believing that those who cannot adapt to cutthroat competition are not worthy of compassion. ⤴️ ^c01f84c6
When resting, you feel "guilty" ⤴️ ^247e2151
"People have become accustomed to seeking distractions to the point where they cannot bear to spend a leisurely evening alone. This is a way to hide from oneself, as self-insight requires psychological space, and all these distraction techniques are used to escape from the self." ⤴️ ^0c6564a0
"Who am I when I do nothing? What is my value? Am I still worthy of love?" ⤴️ ^b2d92752
However, a society that believes "everything is possible" can lead people to willingly engage in self-exploitation without external pressure. This is more efficient than external exploitation because it comes with a sense of freedom. ⤴️ ^304633e3
Do not forget the privilege of your position, and listen more to the voices of the weak in structural injustice. ⤴️ ^94d2aa82
"It's also okay not to push yourself. If you're tired, take a break. Be your own ally." ⤴️ ^f5ff33f9
This is a society where "effort does not necessarily lead to a pay raise"#
This article discusses the phenomenon of "effort does not necessarily lead to a pay raise" in modern society, as well as the cultural constructs and psychological impacts behind this phenomenon. The author points out that this phenomenon stems from the ==cultural concept of a meritocratic society==, which internalizes capitalist values, leading to issues of overwork and depression. The article calls for a rethinking of self and social relationships, awareness of structural issues, and advocates for listening to and caring for the weak.
• ==People in a meritocratic society often feel superior to those who cannot compete with them, blaming failure on others' lack of effort, leading to discrimination and dehumanization of the weak.==
• ==A meritocratic society causes people to prioritize work over relationships, viewing others as pawns to achieve goals, resulting in isolation and alienation.==
• ==In a meritocratic society, people become obsessed with their self-image under scrutiny, seeking external validation and attention while neglecting the importance of self-reflection and genuine needs.==
Recently, a popular streamer made an inappropriate remark.
The incident occurred when: the audience felt that the items were expensive, and the streamer instead told her to "look for her own reasons, whether her salary has increased over the years, and if she has worked seriously."
I asked a friend: what do you think of the view that "if you have no money, it's because you don't work hard"?
She said: it makes her feel very uncomfortable.
Luo Xiang mentioned in an early video that the problem with ideas like "the heavens will reward diligence" and "effort will definitely lead to success" is that we believe everything we gain is a result of our own struggle, and we deserve to have it all—this can even lead to contempt for those who fail, thinking they are poor because they are lazy.
This "uncomfortable" thought also comes from the cultural construct of a "meritocratic society" as described by philosopher Han Byung-chul. It leads people to hold "internalized capitalism," resulting in a large number of overworked individuals suffering from depression and burnout.
Today, I want to talk to you about the 7 manifestations of individuals with a high degree of internalized capitalism.
- You feel superior to those who cannot compete with you
People living in a meritocratic society often strongly identify with the saying "my efforts will never betray me" because they enjoy the fruits of hard work.
But ==the underlying message of "as long as you work hard, you will succeed" is: if you fail or are poor, it is because you are not working hard enough, lazy, or unambitious—if social status is based on merit, then logically, those with higher status must be more talented, valuable, and hardworking than those with lower status.==
The belief in "as long as you work hard, you will succeed" in a meritocratic society not only implies a competitive and selective approach but also relates to our attitude towards failure and how we view those who perform worse than us.
==The worst case is dehumanization. They see the plight of the poor as self-inflicted, believing that those who cannot adapt to cutthroat competition are not worthy of compassion.==
Research by Harris & Fiske found that the stereotypes people hold about "the lowest tier" can even activate structures related to disgust. Another study by Ball found that people's perception of risk regarding "merit status" seems to evoke an "anxious yet ruthless" determination to ensure they stay away from the threat of "downward mobility."
- You prioritize work over relationships, viewing others merely as "pawns to achieve goals"
Han Byung-chul believes another characteristic of a meritocratic society is that people become isolated and alienated from one another, falling into a state of burnout. It destroys community, collectivity, and intimate relationships, even destroying language itself.
Becoming an ordinary person is seen as a curse.
People not only have a single standard for success, such as: only a life in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou is exciting; earning 5 million a year, wearing a luxury watch from a certain brand, and driving a car in a certain price range qualifies one as a "successful person."
They also create Excel spreadsheets to score potential dating partners when looking for intimate companions, turning partners into "pawns to achieve a so-called happy life." Of course, they will also score themselves beforehand.
The problem with this is that the act of "scoring oneself" is actually irrational. There is no objective basis to determine a person's value, and "accurate or real self-scoring seems impossible to achieve."
It objectifies both oneself and others. People become roles that need to be "played" in each other's eyes, viewing others as pawns to achieve goals.
As for whether things are enjoyable or meaningful, there is no need to force consistency with the true self. They are irresistibly rushing towards what Winnicott called the "false self."
They will eventually find themselves trapped in a false intimacy with the "partner who won the selection process through scoring."
In the face of the ideal self, the real self will forever remain a failure.
- You are obsessed with the "self under scrutiny"
In a meritocratic society, people become obsessed with their identity and tend to believe "only when things are displayed and receive attention do they have value." For example: how is my social media image, what brand of bag am I carrying, what level of restaurant am I dining at.
People like to treat high-priced items in stores as proof of their self-worth. As Anthony Galluzzo describes in "The Making of Consumers," "department stores sell a kind of class identity. Brands not only provide a sense of security but also connect products with social and cultural values through symbolic engineering."
People spend too much time thinking about "how do I look when being scrutinized," checking comments and likes on Weibo and Moments, constantly reflecting on how they and others perceive them, while not having enough time for "self-reflection."
A study on college students showed that self-objectification undermines women's social agency and hinders the pursuit of social justice. Viewing oneself as an object of scrutiny can also diminish performance in daily tasks, ignore external information, and make it less likely to try new things.
This can also lead to a loss of happiness. Because your self-perception is unstable, your narrative of self is low, and thus your sense of happiness depends on "whether your image in people's eyes is good or bad."
- You prioritize wealth accumulation and personal growth
This is a tendency to "utilitarianize" decisions before making any choice. For example, "does it bring wealth?" "Is it beneficial for my personal growth?"
If doing something cannot be included in OKR achievements, then it won't be done. If a hobby does not benefit work, one cannot fully immerse oneself in it.
For example, reading. For me, it is merely an extension of work. Once I start reading, my mind automatically searches for topics within it. Moreover, I generally "only allow myself to read books related to work."
Another friend said that the only leisure activity she does without guilt is "working out," because it aligns with the expectation of "self-discipline" and "becoming a better self." If one day she feels down and binge eats, she will inevitably feel self-loathing the next day.
In a meritocratic society, people feel "incorrect or judged" for indulging in things they enjoy, as it goes against elitist notions.
People have an expectation of "infinite self-transcendence," viewing themselves as components to achieve the "ideal self," while continuously engaging in self-exploitation and refusing to embark on the path to find the true self.
- ==When resting, you feel "guilty"==
Research shows that "doing nothing" itself can make 10% of people feel guilty.
A team led by Durham University that specializes in studying "rest" conducted a large-scale online survey involving 18,000 participants from 135 countries.
Regarding "what does rest feel like," there are two completely contradictory answers: freedom, positivity, quiet, happiness vs. worry, guilt, selfishness, annoyance.
▷ What does "rest" mean to you?
These 10% of people believe that rest is the antonym of work, and busyness is a symbol of social status.
In other words, you think stopping is shameful. As a human being, you must "contribute" and "continuously improve," otherwise life is meaningless, and existence is unnecessary.
You cannot feel your value "just for being alive." You must become a human doing to have value.
- You use "busyness" to avoid your true needs
Psychoanalyst David Morgan believes that being busy all day at work serves another potential purpose: distraction, to "distance oneself."
==“People have become accustomed to seeking distractions to the point where they cannot bear to spend a leisurely evening alone. This is a way to hide from oneself, as self-insight requires psychological space, and all these distraction techniques are used to escape from the self.”==
Psychotherapist Petal Walker has made a similar statement: those who avoid their needs through busyness are "escape types." They are escaping from themselves—being busy all day means they do not have to face their feelings and needs. They seem to hold a subconscious belief that "becoming a better self" can bring safety and love.
Doing nothing is terrifying. Because at that moment, they are forced to confront the important issue they have been avoiding:
==“Who am I when I do nothing? What is my value? Am I still worthy of love?”==
- Your self-worth is closely related to "productivity"
Modern capitalism is rooted in the idea of competition, where employees' value comes from productivity. We must surpass our peers to find a good job; we must perform faster and better than colleagues to avoid being fired.
This fear and anxiety cannot be calmed by signing a contract with a big company or getting a promotion and raise. Because the "competitive system itself" keeps most people in a state of permanent anxiety. Even if you score 100 today and receive an A+ at work, it only provides temporary relief—because people believe their value is equivalent to their latest achievements.
This is the alienation of people by capitalism. The 21st century, as defined by Han Byung-chul, belongs to the "meritocratic society." Individuals must act spontaneously to achieve themselves. But this personal will is overly affirmed. People are always told: as long as you work hard, you will definitely succeed. You are responsible for "becoming a better self," and this pursuit is endless.
The terrifying part is that when you feel a lot of pressure, the outside world will also tell you how to "manage stress," how to "love yourself well," as if that is also something you must excel at.
==However, a society that believes "everything is possible" can lead people to willingly engage in self-exploitation without external pressure.== ==This is more efficient than external exploitation because it comes with a sense of freedom.==
Companies may set OKRs for you, but in reality, they don't even need to do that. Because "continuous growth and improvement" has already become your mental stamp.
In conclusion
Even if you have a high degree of internalized capitalism, do not think of yourself as terrible. This is not an article that labels you, but rather an article that invites you to rethink your self and social relationships.
Chikako Ueno said in a speech at the University of Tokyo: this is a society where "effort does not necessarily yield returns." Do not attribute success entirely to yourself or use it to pursue personal capital. Because "some people work hard all day and remain poor, while others do not even have the opportunity to work hard and receive an education."
==Do not forget the privilege of your position, and listen more to the voices of the weak in structural injustice.== When structural issues are acknowledged rather than ignored, individuals can break free from the "full blame for failure"—that is, the unreasonable belief that "I am not good enough, and the problem lies entirely with me."
On the other hand, we live in a meritocratic society, and it is almost impossible to completely abandon internalized capitalism. But being aware of these aspects can help us enhance our self-awareness.
Awareness is a lifelong process. The first thing we need to do is: do not view ourselves as tools. Whenever you feel objectified, try to tell yourself: ==“It's also okay not to push yourself. If you're tired, take a break. Be your own ally.”==
In the treatment of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, people are often required to take on the obligation of "regulating emotions," neglecting the systemic violence of the "merit system" society.
But sometimes, we should not only treat symptoms but also recognize the disease itself.
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