[gdulli]

I really this attitude is too dire. Effort is not always rewarded quickly or transactionally. But over the long run, it does make a difference. Even if there's more bullshit and frustration than there should be along the way.

[SL61]

The consequential factor isn't whether it's true, but the fact that a lot of people believe it. It's an attitude I hear from most of my peers, in and out of tech. What happens when a lot of the people who keep society running half-ass their jobs because they believe effort won't be rewarded?

[adamwong246]

It's far far worse than workers lazing off. It paints a picture of a great "hollowing out" of our society as each member pulls away, "The tragedy of the commons" taken to its far conclusion. Trust is a necessary condition for a decent society and we've not given the little people many reasons to trust the system.

[AnimalMuppet]

Over the long run, effort is quite often rewarded more than lack of effort. Not perfectly. But often enough that it's the way to bet.

[CodeSgt]

Agreed. It may not be a perfect meritocracy, but over the course of a life a little effort and competence go a long way.

[pydry]

Not as far as it used to though.

Economic rents are taking a larger % of western economies every year.