The main issue with meritocracy is how do you measure the level of merit? How does this singular focus upon a predetermined measurement and comparison of people affect society as a whole or social organizations within society?

I believe it can result in hiveminds of similar people, since meritocracy is so focused on measuring and comparing based on a limited set of criteria. Over the long run, narrow groups of similar people do not make an innovative society.

they hate it because it doesn't produce the results they want. And instead of introspecting they want to blame the system itself.

most arguments i see for affirmative action are on the face not logically consistent. but it feels more like the type of policy where people choose what action they want ahead of time and then desperately scramble for any justifications possible.

Law of large numbers. Plus, getting into medical school is not sufficient. A surgeon cannot fake his track record and experience after residency and working.

Cannot fake? How about Dr Death and the doctors guild that protected him for years?

https://allthatsinteresting.com/dr-death-christopher-duntsch

> A surgeon cannot fake his track record and experience after residency and working.

Fake? No. Fudge? Yes, easily. Besides, you can be competent and still substantially worse than a gifted surgeon would have been had they been given an actual "equal" opportunity like the comment I replied to claimed to care about.

> she's probably working a double shift at a grocery store

Then she's not a surgeon