Book description
A revolutionary new argument from eminent Yale Law professor Daniel Markovits attacking the false promise of meritocracy It is an axiom of American life that advantage should be earned through ability and effort. Even as the country divides itself at every turn, the meritocratic ideal - that social and economic rewards should follow achievement rather than breeding - reigns supreme. Both Democrats and Republicans insistently repeat meritocratic notions. Meritocracy cuts to the heart of who we are. It sustains the American dream. But what if, both up and down the social ladder, meritocracy is a sham? Today, meritocracy has become exactly what it was conceived to resist: a mechanism for the concentration and dynastic transmission of wealth and privilege across generations. Upward mobility has become a fantasy, and the embattled middle classes are now more likely to sink into the working poor than to rise into the professional elite. At the same time, meritocracy now ensnares even those who manage to claw their way to the top, requiring rich adults to work with crushing intensity, exploiting their expensive educations in order to extract a return. All this is not the result of deviations or retreats from meritocracy but rather stems directly from meritocracy's successes. This is the radical argument that Daniel Markovits prosecutes with rare force. Markovits is well placed to expose the sham of meritocracy. Having spent his life at elite universities, he knows from the inside the corrosive system we are trapped within. Markovits also knows that, if we understand that meritocratic inequality produces near-universal harm, we can cure it. When The Meritocracy Trap reveals the inner workings of the meritocratic machine, it also illuminates the first steps outward, towards a new world that might once again afford dignity and prosperity to the American people.
About the Author
Daniel Markovits is Guido Calabresi Professor of Law at Yale Law School and founding director of the Center for the Study of Private Law.
Energy
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Crazy Eights
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TrixiePhany
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Swedish Twizz
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
CZR
πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Shay
Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app!
Pigeon Woman
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Free Ham
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Dove Dolce
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§ Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Vermilion
CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Moon Peaches
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
LyRz
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Scrapple
I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
SWAT Honey
ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
The Belgian
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Gr8 Flick
Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Stud muffin
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
Manly
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Pearl Girl
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
MysticMingle
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience