He singles out a small Japanese TV station that presents animated cartoon films, hiring is not done with the usual methods. The person's qualifications are examined, in the usual way: test results consulted but the selection is 'bomb-like recruitment'. The results of the exams may not have been exceptional but the singular appearance of the applicant was such that he gave promise of potentiality and creativity.
Since this is known by the applicants the results even if the persons selected have exceptional results from the tests they know what is expected of them.
In the cartoon world, we are entertained with the world of absurdity but shortly we come back to the real world where we deal with competency.
With the gates of opportunity for most sealed off. Naturally, the ability to pass through that narrow gate is the best resource for living in the world.
However, this omnipotent competency theory has a weakness. The aim is to pass the exam but no thought is given to the process to achieve the results. As long as the results were good the person is capable and worthy of praise and ready for everything. The gaps in the process are not seen.
Cultivating one's abilities is not determined solely by effort. Finances, time, etc. are factors involved in the results. There is no reflection on the process only ability with the results that we have another case of the weak being the food for the strong. Consequently the cry of the weak for fairness. This situation of meritocracy is one of the reasons for the many problems we have in society.
With ability, all can be done. Opportunities are guaranteed giving one a sense all is well, while thick walls are going up and doors shut, and class distinctions are strengthened.
This is not difficult to see in society. "A dragon rises from a small stream" was often used in Korea to express the 'rags-to-riches journey' now the remnant of fairy tales.
In Korea half of those who enter the three so-called best colleges are from the wealthy class. Employment of persons who have the time and money to work hard can become regular employees of a good company with a little effort, but it is difficult for a person in economically difficult circumstances to become a regular employee of a good company even if they try hard because they do not have the time.
In a dual labor structure divided into regular and non-regular workers, regular workers live the life of regular workers and non-regular workers the life of non-regular workers. When competencies prevail, the fixation on places in society becomes justice and fairness.
The strong rejection of making nonregular workers regular workers at the Inchon International Airport was a serious incident that clearly shows the problems involved.
Over 2000 years ago Jesus shows us that competency was not his value in selecting workers for the building up of his kingdom. Peter was far from a competent leader with his quick emotional temperament and a fisherman besides.
Peter knew his faults and was bawled out a couple of times by Jesus but after the Resurrection and Ascension, he gathered the disciples and zealously followed the way of the Lord. If Jesus selected the apostles with exams would they have been as faithful?
In the end, as Christians, we must break away from 'meritocracy' prevailing in the world and examine and reflect on Jesus' fairness and the common good values. The real number of abilities is not determined by scores in tests; the need is for all of us to recognize other people's abilities, discover their hidden potentials, and together work to achieve the common good.
