Tributum Newsletter #32

Hello

Local Government elections have dominated the local news, for all the right and wrong reasons. For many citizens to vote or not to vote is the question. Is it not by being able to cast our vote, one person, one vote, that we are all equal? Equal opportunity for all. But not equal outcome, unless of course there is an equal number of votes for two or more outcomes.  And that brings me to the topic of equality.

It’s the word bandied about on so many topics – gender, pay, poverty, you name it. “Everyone must be equal”. My question on that statement is whether it is the equality of opportunity, or the equality of the outcome that is being advocated. These are mutually exclusive – you cannot have equal opportunity and equal outcome. Its one, or the other. Never both. They are not equal.

You cannot give equal opportunity for all kids to go to the same school, attend the same classes with the same teachers and receive the same workload, and then also require the outcome that of the top 10 students by marks 50% must be girls and 50% must be boys. What if the top 10 students by marks are all girls? Equal opportunity, or equal outcome? Never both.

My problem with equal outcome is that it goes against natural selection. Where in nature is there equal outcomes? Sperm cells all have equal opportunity, but here you are.  There is no equal distribution of sea life in the ocean or bird life in the air. There is no equal distribution of resources among any living creatures – the lions of the Serengeti have a far greater menu than the lions of the Kalahari.  

50% of sports events are not won by 50% of the teams or competitors. 50% of hit music or movies does not come from 50% of the content and Stephen King alone at one stage accounted for almost 50% of world-wide book sales. And 50% of wealth is not in the hands of 50% of the population – anywhere in the world. It never was, it never will be. It is even questionable whether equal opportunity ever really exists. Not fair, but arguably natural.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating inequality or poverty. I’m just saying that no one should get a prise for just showing up. In the real world, the outcomes are determined by the opportunities and what is done with them. Whatever your opportunities, make them count. Like your vote. Keep breathing, until next time.