The Myth Of Meritocracy | Harry Li | TEDxKGV School Youth

Core Argument - The speech challenges the myth of meritocracy, suggesting that success is not solely determined by hard work but also influenced by opportunity, timing, and privilege [3][4][6][7] - It advocates for transforming the perception of hard work from a means to prove worth to a means of personal transformation and challenging established norms [14][15] Critique of Conventional Success - The speech critiques the societal pressure to achieve conventional success, exemplified by the "cult of hard work" and the pursuit of prestigious titles, financial wealth, and social recognition [3][11] - It highlights the negative consequences of this pursuit, such as sacrificing sleep, friendships, and mental health, as seen in the Chinese "gaokao" example [4] Redefining Hard Work and Success - The speech emphasizes the importance of hard work driven by passion and purpose, rather than external validation or societal expectations [13][14][16] - It encourages questioning the metrics by which value is measured and challenging the established conventions that govern our instincts and constrain our imagination [6][14] Importance of Individuality and Questioning - The speech promotes embracing individuality, capitalizing on uniqueness, and working hard for the love of it [16] - It underscores the courage to question societal standards and the determination to build something meaningful [15][16] Role of Opportunity and Timing - The speech acknowledges that success depends not only on ability and effort but also on opportunity and timing, using the example of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak [9]