Episode 31 - Credentials Please - Meritocracy or Gatekeeping

In this episode, Kevin Shively and Dean Bagley explore the complex dynamics of credentialism, elite overproduction, and systemic evolution. They analyze how these factors influence societal structures, political landscapes, and the concept of meritocracy, offering insights into the mechanisms driving societal change.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the discussion on societal systems01:52 The role of agreement and divergence in societal beliefs03:55 Credentialism and the professional managerial class07:00 Historical roots of credentialing and elite formation12:00 The influence of Burnham's managerial revolution19:56 Overproduction of elites and societal destabilization30:07 Mirror images: Left vs. right perspectives on credentialing40:00 The systemic nature of credentialing and systemic inversion50:04 The role of systemic metrics and Goodhart's Law59:59 The impact of credentialing on professions and public trust01:09:57 Potential solutions and systemic protections01:14:59 Conclusion and call for ongoing conversationSupport our work by subscribing to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/AsynchronyPodcast and get access to detailed analyses for every episode.