Recently, Yangmaoyue, an internet celebrity with 8 million followers, posted a video on a social media mocking the struggles young people face in finding jobs. His arrogant attitude sparked intense controversy and ignited widespread discussions on meritocracy.

So, what exactly is meritocracy? And how can we avoid falling into its trap?

The core idea of meritocracy is that a person can attain corresponding social status and wealth as long as he or she has enough talent and works hard. In other words, any failure should be attributed to insufficient effort. This mindset leads to a series of negative consequences.

In the workplace, some employees relentlessly pursue promotions by working excessive hours. In education, test scores have become the sole criterion for evaluating students. In interpersonal relationships, those who attain success often look down upon others.

So, how should we understand the relationship between effort and success to avoid falling into the "trap of meritocracy"?

First of all, social status or financial gain is not the only criterion for success. Everyone should find their own development path, rather than merely conforming to societal expectations or proving their worth against others. At the same time, society should establish a more diversified evaluation system. Every job deserves respect, and choosing not to pursue high salaries does not imply a lack of diligence.

Moreover, success is influenced by various factors beyond one’s ability and effort—such as family background, inherited talents, opportunities, and luck. Therefore, we should not work only for rewards nor become discouraged when we do not see immediate returns. Regardless of whether we ultimately succeed or fail, our efforts deserve recognition.

When we critique meritocracy, we are actually challenging its narrow definition of success, the anxiety it causes under intense competition, as well as the fear or contempt for an ordinary life. Effort is an important factor for success, but not a decisive one. We should try to relieve our anxiety, maintain a good mindset, and show more understanding and tolerance towards others.

Editor Yan Yiqi

Intern Hu Jiani