If you read these three words, merit, popularity and wages together, you probably will connect them with this logic; High merit will get you high popularity and thereby get you high wages. Agreed, that’s mostly how it works in the times we live in. But life has more unpredictable circumstances which makes smarter choices, a rarity.
An online dictionary defines merit as a) a superior quality or worth b) a quality deserving praise. Going by that definition a lot of names pop up in my mind which don’t fit that bill, yet are widely popular. So, would it be okay to conclude that popularity has got little to do with merit? Probably yes. Let’s try it out. Among these names which ones you recollect without much effort and which ones you are hearing for the first time. Limba Ram, Murli Karthik, S Ramesh Babu. Though Limba Ram is far more meritorious an archer (he represented India in three Olympics) compared to Murli Karthik as a cricketer, I know whom you recognized. I bet you haven’t even heard of Dr S Ramesh Babu from Bangalore. He is credited to some world records and his name features in the Guinness Book of World Record.
Then, let’s try to find the connection between merit and wages. One of the best example I can cite, which certainly will not make me popular amongst some of my friends, is the earnings of a typical techie and a typical journo. At different points in my life, I have had the chance of working for technology companies as well as a freelance writer. I made far less money as a freelance writer. Having seen both the sides, I can safely conclude that the job of a journo/writer is far more intellectually challenging than that of an average techie. Also, I have the privilege of having friends from both fractions. Trust me; the journos seem more knowledgeable and wiser as well. Leaving aside a few exceptions, a journo, though more deserving, earns much lesser than a techie.
Why do you think such irrationality exists? Maybe the phrase, “being in the right place, at the right time”, gives a better explanation to this counter-intuitive nature of the relation between merit, popularity and wages. To me, the true measure of merit will always remain in one’s ability to inspire. If you do agree with me on this, the next time it would be inevitable for you to throw that sarcastic smile at those who attribute high wages only to high merit.
4 comments:
I bet I agree with u on this "To me, the true measure of merit will always remain in one’s ability to inspire" ---- It is very true as much as I understood though our surroundings prove it somewhat otherwise ........... and my god u never let go of ur sarcasm "Leaving aside a few exceptions, a journo, though more deserving, earns much lesser than a techie"!!!! :P
And btw do u think techies cannot inspire??? :D ....... or that their job is far less challenging than the journos ......... I hope that was not a biased perception :)
Thanks for reading & commenting. I never said, Techies cannot inspire. Truth is, by my own experience, they have never inspired, as much as journos. A job of techie could be challenging as well, but I have NOT come across such a techie as yet. Being honest.
I see your blogs getting better & better. What's the secret? This one was terrific as well.
That's very flattering. Very kind of you. The secret, let's say people like you who want me to write all the time!
Once more thanks. Shall post at least 2 more articles this July. Please visit often or mail me for update.
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