Published Apr 13, 2021

Your Success Probably Didn’t Come From Merit Alone

Ezra Klein, with guest Tressie McMillan Cottom, challenges the notion that success is purely merit-based by exploring the roles of intelligence, beauty, and social media in shaping identity and societal norms. Cottom delves into how these constructs reinforce social hierarchies, influence discourse, and affect personal and social mobility.

Episode Highlights

Topics covered

Episode Highlights

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Dexa/Ezra Klien

Your Success Probably Didn’t Come From Merit Alone

Topics covered

Popular Clips

The Beauty Myth

The Power of Shame

The Vulnerability of Disability

Perceived Loss and Health Outcomes

Challenging Moral Baggage

Childhood Books

Embracing Change

Rethinking Success

Writing in Different Genres

The Challenges of Online Identity

The Power of Attractiveness

Rethinking Categories

Exploring Micromedia

Shifting Plural: Understanding Status

Understanding Status

Episode Highlights

Mediums and Communication

Rethinking Intelligence

Beauty and Societal Norms

Status and Vulnerability

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Your Success Probably Didn’t Come From Merit Alone

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Mediums and CommunicationTressie McMillan Cottom examines the transformative potential of micromedia and the complexities of online identity. She explores how these elements shape public discourse and cultural narratives in the digital age.

Mediums and Communication

Rethinking IntelligenceTressie McMillan Cottom explores the notion of intelligence as a socially constructed concept, challenging traditional views on smartness and its role in societal hierarchy. She discusses the broader implications of these perceptions on social mobility and personal identity.

Rethinking Intelligence

Beauty and Societal NormsTressie McMillan Cottom examines the intricate ways beauty privilege influences societal interactions and status. She argues that beauty standards are socially constructed, serving to reinforce existing hierarchies and economic structures.

Beauty and Societal Norms

Status and VulnerabilityTressie McMillan Cottom delves into the complex nature of status, examining its impact on societal roles and personal identity. She highlights the fluidity of status and its influence on vulnerability and identity, offering insights into how these dynamics shape our lives.

Status and Vulnerability

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