This is true in technology development too. E.g. the mobile handheld was described in essence in writings 100 years ago. Ideas usually propagate slowly, some reach the masses.

The argument is mostly people talking past each other because algorithms are tuned to incite irrational engagement. People arguing against meritocracy are (usually/hopefully) not arguing that the concept itself is broken, more about the implementation (there is a small group that argues the concept is broken, but that group also overlaps with those that don’t believe in free will).