We are all equally valid

Validity

It is not uncommon for people to feel worthless. That is because some feel they are worth less than others. We are all worthy in our own way. There will be those that are wealthier than you. Some will be more popular. Others a lot more well-known. Many will have a job that seems more important than yours. However, we are all equally valid. We each have validity, validity in the sense that one gets when holding a valid train ticket. That ticket gives us an entitlement to take a seat in one of the carriages. A person who is frail, disabled, or pregnant may appear to be more worthy of your seat than you. You might give it to them. You give it to them based on discretion and how generous your feel.

We confuse the importance of a role with the importance of a person. I will never let someone in an important role jump the queue in front of me. My life is as important to me as their life is to them. Only if there is some genuine emergency would I stand aside and let someone skip the wait. There is a big difference between meritocracy and validity. In the game of football, randomly selected players will not bring many trophies home for your nation, so we naturally place those with the most skill and athletic ability in the line-up. This is meritocracy but is it fair and best. I am sure you would want the most skilled person to operate on you and the most skilled person to fly the plane. An organisation that harnesses the most skilled individuals will ensure greatest profitability which usually benefits all. However, meritocracy is luck of the draw, luck of the genes in many cases. Lucky to be able to run fast. Lucky to be born with the potential to outshine others.

People may hold the ‘leader of the nation’ title. However, it is the job that is important rather than the person. It gives the holder of that job certain privileges for sure, but it is the position that is of the greatest importance. We install bodyguards to protect the person, but it is the post that is guarded the most.