Doron Taussig is Visiting Assistant Professor of Media and Communication Studies at Ursinus College, prior to which he was a journalist for ten years. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and three children. Follow him on X @dorontaussig.

In this exceptionally well-written study, these stories demonstrate that "we already know we don't live in a meritocracy, and we don't especially care."(Choice)

• Introduction1. American Idols2. Head Starts and Handicaps3. Me, Myself, and I4. Merit without the -ocracy5. What's Deserve Got to Do with It?

Doron Taussig is Visiting Assistant Professor of Media and Communication Studies at Ursinus College, prior to which he was a journalist for ten years. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and three children. Follow him on X @dorontaussig.

In this exceptionally well-written study, these stories demonstrate that "we already know we don't live in a meritocracy, and we don't especially care."(Choice)

• Introduction1. American Idols2. Head Starts and Handicaps3. Me, Myself, and I4. Merit without the -ocracy5. What's Deserve Got to Do with It?

Doron Taussig is Visiting Assistant Professor of Media and Communication Studies at Ursinus College, prior to which he was a journalist for ten years. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and three children. Follow him on X @dorontaussig.

In this exceptionally well-written study, these stories demonstrate that "we already know we don't live in a meritocracy, and we don't especially care."(Choice)

• Introduction1. American Idols2. Head Starts and Handicaps3. Me, Myself, and I4. Merit without the -ocracy5. What's Deserve Got to Do with It?