Redefining Intellectual Circles: A Meritocracy Beyond Fame and Fortune

This post explores differing definitions of 'status' across various intellectual circles, proposing a novel framework for evaluating intellectual contributions. The author argues that while broader circles prioritize fame, popularity, and prestige, a narrower circle values original contributions to important, neglected problems. The core argument centers on continuously reevaluating research directions and selecting crucial, overlooked topics based on rigorous analysis as the key measure of true intellectual contribution. This iterative process shapes the author's and their inner circle's values.