How the Ivy League Broke America_David Brooks_Dec 2024

Overview

Title: "How the Ivy League Broke America: The Meritocracy Isn’t Working. We Need Something New."
Author: David Brooks
Key Theme: Critique of the American meritocracy and its implications for society.

Historical Context:
- 19th to mid-20th century: The ideal superior person was the "Well-Bred Man" (WASP elite).
- Admission to elite schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton) favored connections ("clubbable" status) over pure academic merit.
- Social clubs and networking played significant roles in determining success in elite circles.
Implications of the Social Ideal:
- Emphasis on refined manners and physical appearance rather than academic achievements.
- Competition centered more around social status than intellectual capabilities.

Intervention: James Conant, president of Harvard (1933-1953), sought to replace aristocratic admissions with meritocratic criteria focused on intelligence.
Philosophy of Admissions:
- Shift from legacy-based admissions to a focus on academic achievement as the highest trait.
- Aim: To increase social mobility and reduce class conflict.
Challenges:
- Persisted rich family favor in admissions, evidence of anti-Semitism in admissions practices in the 1950s.
Education Changes: Conant’s vision reshaped societal definitions of ability and status markers.

Cultural Shift: Rise of the "Cognitive Elite," emphasizing intellectualism over privilege, changing family dynamics, and parental approaches to education ("concerted cultivation" vs "natural growth").
Impact on Education: Shifted focus to standardized tests and advanced placement classes, with detrimental effects on student well-being and learning environments.
Status Recognition: More prestigious universities became synonymous with cultural and economic power, often leading to rejection as a status symbol.

Job Market Changes: Increased demand for elite college degrees, leading to a homogenized job market where success is tied closely to educational pedigree.
Disparity Issues: Growing class divide: disadvantaged students received less attention and opportunities compared to peers from affluent backgrounds.
Caste System Dynamics: A segmentation based on education leading to entrenched social inequalities.
Political Reaction: Emergence of a populist backlash against elite institutions, resulting in a loss of faith in leadership.

Overrating Intelligence: The broad assumption that intelligence primarily reflects academic potential leading to an incomplete understanding of human capability.
Misalignment between School and Life: Success in academic settings does not translate to success in broader life contexts; interpersonal skills often undervalued.
Rigged System: Opportunities skewed heavily in favor of wealthy families, perpetuating inequalities and hindering social mobility.
Caste System Formation: Educational levels creating class divisions with significant disparities in health and economic outcomes.
Psychological Toll on Elites: Pressure to succeed leads to fragility and a focus on extrinsic rewards.
Cultural and Political Fracture: Heightened tensions between educated elites and the working class, exacerbating divisions in societal values.

Rethinking Merit: Need for a broader definition of merit that incorporates non-cognitive skills such as creativity, social intelligence, and emotional agility.
Educational Reforms:
- Project-based learning to foster engagement, collaboration, and critical thinking among students.
- Broadening assessments beyond traditional metrics to include portfolios demonstrating varied competencies.
Opportunity Pluralism:
- Create diverse paths to success—tie opportunities not only to academic performances but also vocational skills and community engagement.
Community Reinforcement: Emphasizing local organizations and civic engagement to nurture essential skills in students beyond academic achievements.
Agility in Education: Focus on building resilience and adaptability in students to navigate complex social and professional landscapes effectively.

Need to humanize the meritocracy by valuing curiosity, passion, and intrinsic drive as pathways to success over rigid adherence to traditional metrics.
The ultimate goal: a society that values diverse talents and equitable opportunities for all individuals to achieve their potential.