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Leslie's avatar

Though admittedly an economic theory amoeba, I am intrigued by Stephen Postrel’s idea that “merit tracks value with a lag.” I don’t know exactly what he means by the phrase, but to me, the lag part nicely addresses the measurement problem in trying to analyze the immediate + lasting impact of an idea or action (kind of like being able to determine a particle’s speed or position but not at the same time). I get McCloskey’s POV but am unable to see virtues as anything but intertwined cause and effect.

I also wholeheartedly agree that people would feel less conflicted (an emotional reaction) if we were able to rationally distinguish between value and merit (an intellectual action). But until *we* (meaning most people) regain a shared, objective understanding of the terms we use, our thinking/emoting will be plagued by our subjective, overly emotional attachment to the word *fair.*

(Slightly edited after posting)

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Leon Rozenblit's avatar

The discussion of “Email Jobs” is interesting and reminds me of David Graeber’s irreverent and funny “Bullshit Jobs.”

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