Okay, there's been some discussion threaded through metafandom lately about class in fandom, and the extent to which fandom status is based on class and not merit. This seems to me to be missing the point, because isn't a meritocracy a class system? I've run into literal meritocracies mostly in dystopian novels and high school, and if anything they're the most stifling, stratified class systems ever, because social mobility is *impossible*; one's inherent worth cannot be changed or overcome the way economic or social issues can.

( Class )

( money )

( time )

( fic )

That's my meta-rant for the month. Now, on to the important questions, [Poll #544172]