The Myth of Equality

Equality. The mere mention of the term itself tends to trigger smiles and arouse warm, fuzzy feelings of altruism and compassion. In an intrinsically "equal" society, everyone plays the game, and irrespective of ability or performance, everyone goes home with a prize. Egalitarianism, in most modern respects, is the underachiever's wet dream and the nightmare of the gifted.

The terms "judgement" and "discrimination" on the other hand have almost always conjured up pejorative connotations. Forgoing the mental faculties which instinctively warn us of inferior and counterproductive individuals has become praiseworthy and chic. The automaton who relinquishes any sense of discernment or self worth and throws caution to the wind by proclaiming "let God be the judge.." is given the proverbial pat on the back. Little league coaches who reward lackluster performances with ice cream and pizza (so long as everyone suits up and moves around a bit), are thought of as principled and noble. Standards are progressively lowered -- value itself becomes irrelevant. On an "equal playing field", no one advances. Uniform mediocrity becomes the means to an end of inevitible regression and complacency. One need only glance at the sloven majority, with their heads rotating between 64 ounce sodas, cellphone screens and occasional utterances in broken English to realize what a cultural cesspool we're living in.

The rejection of universal equality is not rooted in the idea that power is indicative of superiority, rather the contrary. A person is only as powerful as his talents and intellectual abilities merit. In an unfettered arena where these traits are left to their own devices, water indeed seeks its own level, and nature separates the wheat from the chaff. 

In the absence of caste and social distinction, commonality and decay consumes every aspect of life: higher interests are all but lost, horizons are leveled down to the very basic of tastes. Immediacy and simplicity become commonplace, where craftsmanship and detail are rendered meaningless. People become shortsighted, mentally and physically atrophic. Morale becomes pacified and stagnant, as success, prosperity, beauty and strength is seen as suspicious and a threat to the comfort and convenience of irreproachable banality.

All men are not created equal. Some are predisposed to poverty and hardship upon conception, while others are born into privilege and prestige. By the same token a poor and stressed youth may rise above his plight and become an unassailable success, while the child of affluence self destructs in a whirlwind of drug abuse and failure. The point being -- equality was never a component in respects to birthright or one's will to fail or flourish. 

Human potential and prowess, realized and applied, is a roll of the dice. Some are better suited for overcoming life's obstacles than others. Some people deserve more consideration, more freedom, larger public platforms and more praise, while others do not. The able and gifted should reap the rewards and accolades in accordance with their personal value, as the inept and useless should suffer the consequences of theirs.

Merit is not something to be defined, rationed and doled out by supernatural deities or political figures, it's something we should all strive for, irrespective of the prospect that others may not achieve it. This doesn't relegate the less capable to a lifetime of failure, rather gives them an archetype to strive for (and potentially surpass). Nothing evolves out of inertia or apathy, and progress is not concerned with the creature comforts and infantilized emotions of entitled ingrates. An empty, outstretched hand deserves in return exactly what it offers -- nothing.

Judge, discriminate and distinguish those you encounter on a daily basis. These traits and idiosyncrasies are the hallmarks of a functioning human mind. Unconditional love for all only lessens love's meaning, and setting the beggar and criminal on the same stage as a scholar or innovative genius is not only asinine patronization but and outright insult. In a society where everyone's a winner, no one is a winner. Equality as an inalienable condition for all is often touted as being beneficial for the "common good". Keep in mind, however, that "good" is a subjective term, and whatever can be considered "common" has very little value.

When someone insists on equality for all, with the desultory indifference to worth or character, one might take note that this assertion is almost always regurgitated from those who bask in the amenities and convenience of low expectations, or those who stand to profit from curtailing the passions or potential of the masses.