Pointing out that cronyism/nepotism is giving the largest boost for one's success instead of "meritocracy" is pretty depressing...

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elevation 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

The contempt for nepotism saddens me. My family's financial fortunes (and social standing) were completely reset a few decades back (my dad was near penniless when he immigrated in midlife) but after decades of frugal living I can now look forward to making opportunities for my children that my parents couldn't make for me.

Isn't that what everyone wants?

	▲	storus 2 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Did your dad immigate from a country where nepotism/cronyism was the norm? Wasn't America unique in the ability to give this frugal person a chance to pull himself up by the bootstraps by giving him and his children the opportunity to earn a good living without knowing anyone in power? Do you want America that would look like your dad's original country, being a permanent underclass there?
	▲	OutOfHere a day ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Nepotism destroys organizations and institutions to favor a few for a short while. The people who depend on the organizations then suffer.

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OutOfHere 2 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I think calling it cryonyism/neptotism is the problem, as these words don't always capture what is happening. In many cases, the person receiving the opportunity isn't a crony or a relative; it is just someone who is known. There is some comfort that is felt in granting the opportunity to someone who is known or relatable. Perhaps it comes with a belief that one won't get screwed over after such a favor is granted, that the receiving person will remain grateful forever, and sometimes even reciprocate in the future. I am not justifying it.

This other comment reflects the same understanding in different words: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49277355

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OutOfHere a day ago | parent | prev [-]

If you want the solution, it is closer to what some government agencies use for hiring. They use guaranteed placement setup whereby if one gets high scores on a test, they're guaranteed placement. The salary is lower, and the work is boring, but they get pension and good healthcare. I passed on it twice because they were high-security places and I don't like emptying my pockets each morning.